Faulty product from third party seller on Amazon UK

baggerstorbay

I purchased an item from a third party seller on Amazon UK. The seller is based outisde of the UK but has a UK VAT number.

Due to the nature of the item it was dispatched from within the UK and hadn't been sent from abroad.

The item was in fact faulty and was from the beginning (due to a design fault), but as I didn't report it until after 30 days (but before 6 months) I know I'm only entitled to an repair/exchange at the seller's choice.

They did attempt a repair (by sending me some new parts) but that failed to rectify the fault, and since then all they have offered me is £20 to get it repaired locally, which isn't feasible, nor would it cover the cost of having it repaired.

Neither the seller or Amazon are willing to help. I have tried the Amazon UK MD's office, who did reply promtply to say they don't get involved with buyer disputes between them and third party sellers.

However, I have been sold a faulty item (that cost a few hundred pounds, hence why I want a resolution) and neither the seller or Amazon want to take responsibility.

Please can anyone advise what the next step would be, and if it does involve going down the Money Claim route, who would it be against?

Alderbank

How exactly did you pay?

If you paid directly by card your next step should be to raise a dispute with your card issuer. If you are still within 120 days a chargeback might be possible.

Since the attempted repair failed to fix the fault, the Consumer Rights Act entitles you now to a refund. Your court claim would be against the seller at their registered UK address.

If you paid directly with a credit card the card issuer has equal liability and might be easier to pursue. 

baggerstorbay

Sorry, I did mean to add that I went down the credit card route.

A chargeback wasn't possible as it was over 90 days before I reported it, and a claim under section 75 of the CCA was rejected because of the broken payment link (because I'd purchased something through a marketplace and not direct with the seller).

I have found a registered business address from their VAT number, although even if I did win a CCJ against them, I'm not sure how likely I am to receive any money, as the address looks to be a service for overseas companies to be registered (although the company that supplied the faulty item isn't a limited company).

The company doesn't currently have any items listed on Amazon, but they are active on eBay with the same VAT number.