What are my consumer rights?

scaramanga182

scaramanga182

scaramanga182

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26 Oct 2004
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642
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Up North
So I've learnt a valuable lesson, never buy second hand to save a few quid!

Basically I moved 3 weeks ago and my new place didn't have a washing machine so I thought I'd save a bit of cash and buy one from a second hand white goods shop. I was promised delivery and installation even though it was a first floor flat so I thought bonus! On arrival they refused to carry it up the stairs so I thought no bother and me and me mate carried it up and installed it.

The problem is that the bloomin' machine doesn't work. It takes days before it decides to fill, then refuses to empty so its clearly not working properly. I've since been back to the shop about 8 times asking for them to repair it under their '6 month guarentee' and phoned them countless times. I've now taken 2 seperate afternoons off work and been house bound the last 2 Saturdays as I've been promised someone will come round, but they never turn up.

I'm sick to the back teeth of it now as its been 3 weeks and I'm getting nowhere. What rights do I have / threats can I make so they take this seriously? My dad has told me to write to them threatening to report them to trading standards if its not fixed by a certain date, is there anything else I can do?

Any help would be great.

Cheers

Chris.
 
Your valuable lesson is stupid. You've just had a bad experience with one, second hand goods are usually sound investments if reputable.

The problem does seem to be with the business, you have a warranty and they need to stick to it, I recommend doing what your dad suggests, communicate professionally and don't come across just as an angry punter or they won't do you a job with respect. You could ask for your money back?
 
I'd report them now. Keep a recording of any dealings you've had with them written or verbal, phone or in person.

Include a copy of their 6 month guarantee, include their agreement to deliver and install it (which they broke). Make a note of the days you had to take off work when they said they'd be around. Basically have everything down in writing from them and send it in to the CRB or whatever it's called in Britain.
 
Sound advice offered thus far. As mentioned above, the most important thing is to keep your call, and remain professional. Stay calm and polite during any communication you have with them. Write to them stating what they had agreed to do (providing appropriate evidence as suggested by Darg), and state how they have failed to do so.

It's a shame you've had such a bad experience, our washing machine and tumble drier were both bought second hand and have been absolutely rock solid for nearly seven years.
 
You have no consumer rights as you bought it second hand. You will have to deal with the company and the warranty they offered, can you not take it back to them and get a refund under their warranty ?
 
Shimmyhill said:
You have no consumer rights as you bought it second hand. You will have to deal with the company and the warranty they offered, can you not take it back to them and get a refund under their warranty ?
Click to expand...

You have the same rights with second hand goods as you would with new goods taking into account their reduced durability, etc.
 
Jet said:
You have the same rights with second hand goods as you would with new goods taking into account their reduced durability, etc.
Click to expand...

Yes this is true, what i should have said is that beyond it working you have hardly any/no rights on second hand goods. (wear & tear and reduced lifespan will cover just about all 2nd hand goods problems after initially working) I actually read that he had had it for 3 weeks and it failed but reading back it seems it hasn't worked from the moment he had it. In that case just take it back and get a refund.
 
ste_bla said:
You do unless sold as seen
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Not quite true - although if the defect should be obvious to someone who casually looks over the unit then yes you can't claim for that defect.

You have the same rights as with a new unit, under SoGA, the unit still has to be suitable for the purpose for which it was sold and if it breaks within six months it's still up to them to prove the fault wasn't inherent within the goods.

At this point they're in breach of contract. As such they have the option of repair, replace or refund (depending on which is proportionate). If they choose to repair they have to do so within a reasonable period of time.
 
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Sounds like a water pressure problem

I am not a great fan of second hand mechanical things except cars where warranty issues are pretty straightforward.

At University my housemates and I bought a second hand twin tub washing machine and it worked fine for years being thrashed to death weekly by six students.

Luck of the draw I guess.

Getting money out of the person you bought a duff one from probably isn't worth the hassle and emotional stress.

Just figure out a way to get even :)
 
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This is why you should ask around before buying from a second hand merchant. I've never bought a new washer or drier in 10 years, I go to the same guy when they need parts which I fit myself, or they wear out completely whereupon he delivers another recon and charges me about a fifth of your new price. If I add it up, washers and driers have probably cost me the same over 10 years as a new one of each would today. Don't just choose one at random, ask family members etc who they've dealt with.
 
don't be scared of second hand goods just buy them from the right place. That said as much as I hate to admit it a lot of white goods are so cheap new it can be a bit daft to buy second hand. I'm looking at getting a new fridge at the moment. Now I guess I can get a good second hand one for £50 but for £100 I could get a budget new one or £150 I could get a branded new one. So therefore I reckon I will just spend the £150 because I can't really be bothered with the hassle of sorting out a second hand one and £150 is not a massive amount of money for something that is really quite important.
 
I think your first mistake was right at the beginning - with the delivery.
If you had already agreed to have it installed into a first floor flat then that is the basis for the contract.
If they had turned up to me and then refused to take it to the flat I would have told them I wouldn't be signing for the item and they should take it back to where it came from and you would be getting a refund via your credit card company.
A friend of mine did exactly this - it was amazing how quickly they decided they could deliver it to a first floor flat when they realised the alternative was to be stuck with the item on the back of their lorry for the rest of the day.

Hope you get everything sorted.
 
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