Consumer Question - Can I take a Plasma back?

[SV-net]

:mad:Purchased a plasma 42" Panasonic today and got it home, unpacked it. Set it all up and turned it on. Works lovely, but like a fool I should have got 37" because its just physically too big beside my chimney breast. I know, I know I should have measured it. And now its all unpacked I don't think I can take it back and pay the extra £200 for a smaller screen which would fit perfectly.....What a plonker eh... Or can I take it back its only been on for 1 hour? Anybody know if I can return it, not for refund but exchange for dearer model which would fit better?

[5hort5]

yer - bet you can - if the have the receipt then def. The consumer act means you can. total worst case you get a credit note and then pay the extra - no probs what so ever with that.

[DarrenSV650S]

Why does the 37' cost more?

[tigersaw]

You cant return something just because you dont want it or dont like it.

[Spiderman]

most shops will let you take it back fro store credit.

Excuse i use is that the g/f (or whoever) measured the space wrong and i'm funimg, bloody women, blah, blah, blah, and get the (usually) male assistant to feel for where i'm coming from etc.

[SV-net]

Thanks Tigersaw is that qualified by any means or just cos you said so? I tried looking at my consumer rights, but thats a minefield and I had a few jars earlier.

Yes, Spiderman I may just try this one.

[zsv650]

cant hurt to try just explain it wont fit and your willing too pay the extra for the smaller tv.

[speedplay]

most shops will let you take it back fro store credit.

Excuse i use is that my Boyfriend (or whoever) measured the space wrong and i'm funimg, bloody men, blah, blah, blah, and get the (usually) female assistant to feel for where i'm coming from etc.


Most shops will let you take it back especially if you just want to legitimatly exchange something.

Legally, you dont have to accept a credit note if you do decide to ask for a full refund either as its not a legal tender.

[tigersaw]

I heard that on tv the other week, that ann robinson thing.

[SV-net]

Just copied this from their website:-

Currys Returns and Aftersales Policy
We will exchange or refund your purchase either before or up to 28 days following the day of delivery if you return the item to us as set out below, but it must bereturned unopened and in its original packaging, complete with any free gifts or accessories provided.
This does not affect your consumer rights and if you open the goods to inspect them, you can still cancel your purchase at any time either before or up to 7 working days* following the day the goods are delivered.
You can cancel your purchase by:
- returning the product to one of our stores with your receipt and bringing the card you paid with so we can credit it, or
- emailing us at aftersales@currys.co.uk to request that we collect the product, or
- phoning us on 0844 561 1234 with your order reference number and delivery details to hand

* “working days” means all days other than Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
In all cases, your product must be complete and in 'as new' condition. If you have opened the box to examine the product you must have done so without damaging or marking the product or packaging. The product must not have been used or installed. It should be returned with the original box and packaging, along with any accessories you received with it. Pre-recorded videotapes, DVDs, CDs, minidiscs, memory cards and software must still be sealed. Any free gifts received with the product must also be returned.
If you follow the above steps, we will issue you with a full refund for the cost of the product and any delivery charge you paid. Refunds take 3-5 working days to be credited to your payment card

So looks promising.

[tigersaw]

Just copied this from their website:-

The product must not have been used or installed.



So long as you can wrap it all back up as new...

[embee]

I'm pretty sure you'll just have to hope the shop is sympathetic, as said by others you can't "reject" something which is exactly what it should be, i.e. a working TV as described on the tin. If the product is perfectly fit for purpose and as described, it's your problem, unless there was some sort of definitive agreement included at the time of the sale to exchange/swap if not correct for your room. A decent shop would probably be fine with a "swap".
(warning - armchair consumer rights activist, knows nothing.....probably)

[600+]

but you can say that the freeview is not working! and there is no way of them proving it is ;)

[Traders]

I work for a large retailer and our rules are that our customers have a 30 day money back guarantee on any item purchased and are entitled to a full refund even when they have seen something better or cheaper, most retailers would accept the 42" tv back for a 37" +£200 especially in todays market and the compertition on the high street is tough, you have nothing to lose. tell them what you want.

[JediGoat]

yer - bet you can - if the have the receipt then def. The consumer act means you can. total worst case you get a credit note and then pay the extra - no probs what so ever with that.

It never ceases to amaze me what totally incorrect information people will write on a forum :rolleyes:

If the item was what you asked for, and works then you have no legal right to a refund, a credit note, nor an exchange*. However, almost all shops will exchange it for you, or give you a credit note.

Unfortunately, the "change your mind and have your money back" options that many chain stores have operated means that many customers think this is the law, which leads to the counter-banging "I know my rights!" speech from them.

Jo

*The exception of course is distance selling, where you have 7 days from the receipt of the goods to change your mind. Note - the distance selling law does not apply if you phone a shop and ask them to order something in for you.

[dizzyblonde]

Wouldn't it just be easier to call the store you bought it from and ask them?

[Jabba]

......it must bereturned unopened....

and

So looks promising.

Doesn't look promising to me given that it's been opened and used.

Might get lucky though :confused:

[Jabba]

Why does the 37' cost more?

This question hasn't been answered yet ;-)

[thedonal]

This question hasn't been answered yet ;-)

I think that smaller plasma screens are more expensive to make. Also, 37" is a less popular size (you don't see as many of those about as 32, 42 or larger). So the more 'regular' sizes may be discounted due to volume of sales.

[Vindaloo]

I think they are entitled to charge a 'restocking fee' if it's fit for purpose but you've changed your mind. Generally about 10-20%. I imagine you shouldn't have a problem if you're wanting to return it for something more expensive, though.

Adrian

[Shellywoozle]

Get ya money back some lovely offers on Sony 37" in Sainsburys at the moment for £299.

As for the OP, I would personnaly put it all back in the box as you had it and not explain it has been on an hour. As long as you have not marked it, damaged it etc how would they know.

[tigersaw]

Get ya money back some lovely offers on Sony 37" in Sainsburys at the moment for £299.



Just check exactly what you are buying in sainsburys. Sony make 'exactly the same but different' models in their ranges. A 'V' instead of a 'W' in the model number of an identical telly means a lot.

[beabert]

Restocking fees are not legal, at least with distance selling, ask wemoto, i had them refund me after i informed them after finding out a few weeks after. they refunded instantly no arguing. So if anyone has paid a restocking fee, you have been duped.

This does not affect your consumer rights and if you open the goods to inspect them, you can still cancel your purchase at any time either before or up to 7 working days* following the day the goods are delivered.
You can cancel your purchase by:
- returning the product to one of our stores with your receipt and bringing the card you paid with so we can credit it, or
- emailing us at aftersales@currys.co.uk to request that we collect the product, or
- phoning us on 0844 561 1234 with your order reference number and delivery details to handYou have opened it to inspect it and now want to cancel, as long as you have the packaging just take it back. Assuming it was from curry's

[JediGoat]

I'm assuming the OP has sorted this out by now, and as he was offering to take the item back to exchange for a more expensive one, I'd be surprised if the store had an issue with this (assuming the item had all packaging in good condition).

For anyone unsure about your legal right on purchases (which do not necessarily reflect what the seller will offer you, they are often far more obliging):

"You do not have a right to a refund under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 if you have simply changed your mind about a purchase or decided that you do not like it."

Source - Consumer Direct (http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/know-your-rights/SGAknowyourrights/)

Whether you think it fortunate or unfortunate, the Sale of Goods Act does not provide legal cover for spending money on a whim then changing your mind or wishing you had thought more carefully.

In my line of work it seems everyone likes to buy shiny new untouched items, yet many want to be able to wrap them back up and take them back when they change their mind. The two things won't work together ;)

Jo

P.s. I'm being very 'bah-humbug' this Xmas...maybe even this year...roll on a new one when I can try to rediscover my sense of humour :)

[squirrel_hunter]

Legally, you dont have to accept a credit note if you do decide to ask for a full refund either as its not a legal tender.

Thats a new one on me. Now it has been some years since I've had to quote the Sale of Goods Act in anger, so for my own interest... how so?

As for the OP, you have entered into a contract of sale which has been fulfiled on the part of the supplier. Just because it does not meet your requirements does not mean you are entitled to return the goods as the goods are as described. However I know of no store that would refuse the return of an item such as this especially when you will be purchasing a more expensive item in its place. Use the lines that Spiderman has given and you will have no problem.

These days any good retailer knows that the returns and aftersales service is as important as the sale itself, which is a stroke of luck eh?

[tigersaw]

everyone likes to buy shiny new untouched items, yet many want to be able to wrap them back up and take them back when they change their mind. The two things won't work together ;)

:)


Argos are a bugg*r for that - if its all taped up again insist on an inspection - most likely its come back within the 30 days they give you. They often say its only been opened for a 'viewing'.
Yea right, so why did my new phone have someone elses numbers programmed in it then?

[SV-net]

Ok, I went to the store to discuss this and to be fair they offered me a full refund, not a credit. No re-stocking fee or hadling charge. So thats all great, plus plus in my eyes. However, we do have a 21 foot living room so decided to re-arrange the room and save money. So I have kept the tv and am now quite pleased with it, plus saved myself extra expense too. The Mrs is happy and so am I.

Cant fault the offer of a refund eh, my story was simply got it home and took it out the box and saw that it was clearly too big for my requirements and should have got a 37". The manager said, "no problem". Im please with the service and will be going there again.

It was an interesting thread this, so thanks for all the replies and I hope you all have a great new years and all the best for 2010.

[Spiderman]

good customer service for a change, thats nice to hear.