Argos returns

Slicer1

Hi, can anyone advise on what our rights are with a return to Argos
My independent 89 year old mother decided to buy a new vac while I was away on holiday and got one from Argos. When she got it home and had assembled it, she turned it on and realised that it was far too heavy for her to use. She packed it up and tried to return it but Argos refused saying as it had been used they wouldn't give a refund. They even said she should have tried it without switching it on but that would have been ridiculous as a vac is much harder to use with the suction on.
As you can't see what you are buying at Argos surely they should be treated in law as purchases on the internet. Any advice would be much appreciated

molerat

Unless it was paid on line - click and collect - she only has return rights in accordance with their in store terms.

I've changed my mind

If you've changed your mind and need to return an item, you have 30 days from the date of collection or from the date of delivery to return your item(s).

Your item(s) needs to be:

• Unused and with all original components

Slicer1

As I thought but how can you try a vac without switching it on?

lincroft1710

It is an instore purchase and that I am afraid is the end of the matter.


Non faulty purchase returns are subject to the terms and conditions of the retailer, so if Argos say an item must be returned unused then they have the right to refuse a refund where the product has been used.


Sorry but cannot see that Argos are in the wrong

eskbanker

Slicer1 said:

As I thought but how can you try a vac without switching it on?

But there's no right to try it as such in any case?

p00hsticks

Slicer1 said:

When she got it home and had assembled it, she turned it on and realised that it was far too heavy for her to use. 

Was the weight not specified on the website / in the catalogue at the point of ordering it ?

Slicer1

As I said she is 89 

p00hsticks

Slicer1 said:

As I said she is 89 

I don't think that really has much (any ?) bearing on her legal consumer rights

Aylesbury_Duck

Slicer1 said:

As I thought but how can you try a vac without switching it on?

You ask the retailer to try one in store.  If they won't let you, pick another retailer.  John Lewis let you try vacuum cleaners, they have display models.

Aylesbury_Duck

Slicer1 said:

As I said she is 89 

I'm afraid that's irrelevant when it comes to her rights.  You said yourself she's independent, she's in no lesser position to exercise choices than someone half her age, and indeed, the weight problem isn't one that solely affects older people.  Anyone petite or with a lack of strength for whatever reason would have the same problem if they bought without testing it first.

voluted

p00hsticks said:

Slicer1 said:

When she got it home and had assembled it, she turned it on and realised that it was far too heavy for her to use. 

Was the weight not specified on the website / in the catalogue at the point of ordering it ?

I think this is more down to the difficulty in pushing it with suction included instead of the actual weight of the product.

It is usually significantly more difficult to push a vacuum that is turned on across a carpet vs one that is switched off.