Justmylook

born_again

They do not have to reply to Letter Before Action.
It is now up to you to progress & take the action you have told them you will.

ButtersUK

Indeed you're right.  It was just me thinking a reply to a letter might have been forthcominng, but .... why in the world would I have thought that?

No, I've always realised that they have the upper hand - the value of the claim is far too insignificant compared to the time, money and effort that would go into pusuing the matter.

In the infinitesimally small likelihood of them seeing this thread (and the others like it) they must be laughing their corporate socks off.  Perhaps one day karma will come knocking. But it's a proper shame that among the complainants will be quite a lot of genuine cases where people have been fleeced and disappointed. Looking at Trustpilot reveals a massive number of people who have apparently posted reviews ..... the numbers are jaw dropping. 

Anyway, enough's enough, eh?

powerful_Rogue

ButtersUK said:

I have, this evening, written a "Letter before Action".to JustMyLook in Cleckheaton (thanks again to born_again for the address details).

The item is an ETI hairdryer and is the third, identical, dryer my wife has bought in recent years. One lasted three years, one five years and this current one, 18 months. The motor has failed after 18 months but the heating element functions (and would ignite the plastic case very, very quickly if allowed to). My wife uses it once per day in purely domestic circumstances. It's supposed to be a Professional, Salon capable item but doesn't seem to maintaining that durable, long lasting standard.

We have been told, twice, via email, that as the 12 month warranty has expired then they can do nothing regarding repair, replacement or refund. Which leaves two options - to accept the early failure and dispose of it, or to seek redress via the Consumer Rights Act 2015 hence the letter to them this evening to advise of the latter.

Have you had a report done on why the motor has failed?

ButtersUK

I haven't, no. But who would do it? and what would I do with it if I had one?

The hairdryer cost £45. 18 months ago.  A technical report would cost way more. The Italian manufacturer has no proper official distributor to whom you could seek advice or redress.  It was just me thinking that the seller could be approached with a threat of action under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 but clearly it needs something way more impressive for them to be moved.

It was the third identical hairdryer in nine years. One lasted three yrs, one five yrs and one lasted 18 months ... each one had the motor fail.

They were supposed to be "professional" salon type dryers.

I've now bought a different make. The good lady wife is impressed with it .... but then at three times the price of the old one she needs to be impressed.

born_again

ButtersUK said:

I haven't, no. But who would do it? and what would I do with it if I had one?

The hairdryer cost £45. 18 months ago.  A technical report would cost way more. The Italian manufacturer has no proper official distributor to whom you could seek advice or redress.  It was just me thinking that the seller could be approached with a threat of action under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 but clearly it needs something way more impressive for them to be moved.

It was the third identical hairdryer in nine years. One lasted three yrs, one five yrs and one lasted 18 months ... each one had the motor fail.

They were supposed to be "professional" salon type dryers.

I've now bought a different make. The good lady wife is impressed with it .... but then at three times the price of the old one she needs to be impressed.

Sorry but a "professional" salon type dryers is not going to cost £45. You are talking hundreds for them.

ButtersUK

Yes, I do realise that you can't apparently buy a professional one for that sort of money, I was just saying that is what it was described as on the box and what, erroneously, raised our expectations at the time.  And, as it happens, is the one my barber used in his shop and sent me to a trade only supplier with one of his letterheads to buy. But you can buy them on Amazon and a million other places too, so maybe not exclusively "trade only". Having said that if you look online there's countless references to ETI being "professional" and lots of 'hairdressers' saying they use them daily in the course of their work.  Perhaps they do and perhaps they get 12 months out of them and replace them thereafter without giving it any further thought when they break.

I (she) now have a Parlux Digitalyon. Would you describe that as "professional" salon type"?  ....  I think I probably would, although my wife is not a professional (she uses it once a day) and we don't have a salon either.  It was that or a GHD Helios.

And if it only lasts a year and one month I now know there won't be much point in complaining and I'll go out and buy another. We live and learn.