Currys! Is there any customer protection in London/the UK?

[Loz]

Well, I believe Currys and Dixons are rubbish, but I also suspect that you weren't entitled to a refund. Some stores may have offered you one in goodwill, but legally you are on shaky ground.

[Lowlander]

Actually Sol has every right to a refund under the Sale of Goods Act 1979.

Under this Act goods supplied must be fit for purpose and as described.

The item was described to Sol as being suitable for use, which it clearly isn't.

The link I posted to above contains all the info you'll need.

[Huguenot]

I think he'd have difficulty in proving that the conversation regarding purpose actually took place, and that since the technical specs are written on the outside of the box he was given every opportunity to review them himself.

There's also the issue of what planes the hardware would work on. Many current planes have USB power sockets, but not all. If the DVD had a USB socket the assistant may have been right in saying it worked on planes without a battery.

We could get a better idea if the OP would tell us the make and model.

It always concerns me when people demand companies should be castigated when only half the information is given. It's also concerning when other poorly informed people leap to conclusions. ;-)

[Chippy Minton]

Currys and Dixons are owned by the same group (which also includes PC World).

Dixons is solely online now and is actually pretty competitive on price. All their old high street shops are now either closed or have been rebranded as Currys.

[malumbu]

WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG

Statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act is that you have the opportunity to inspect the item. (problem is how long is appropriate). Which is effectively whay when you buy mail order they have a returns policy.

From the Act itself: F33. . .

Unless otherwise agreed, when the seller tenders delivery of goods to the buyer, he is bound on request to afford the buyer a reasonable opportunity of examining the goods for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are in conformity with the contract

[ie is it what you expected, size, colour etc]

Secondly: (see for eg /www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/sale-of-goods/understanding-the-sale-of-goods-act/your-rights/

When you buy goods you enter into a contract with the seller of those goods. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 goods must be:

'as described',

'of satisfactory quality', and

'fit for purpose' ? this means both their everyday purpose, and also any specific purpose that you agreed with the seller (for example, if you specifically asked for a printer that would be compatible with your computer).

Sadly sales people seem to know sweet FA about the SOGA, as do people on this forum. Better to ask if people have had good experience of a shop, not what to do when there is a problem. Apart from Malumbu who was a Consumer Protection professional.

Go to OFT, or your Trading Standards Authority or Which for advice. This is half reasonable www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent/factsheets/FS1NEW%20nov07%20goods.pdf

Then if the poorly trained counter staff don't help then ask to see the manager. Then contact the "Home Authority" (the Trading Standards Department)in the local authority area where the head office is. Contact the company, make a formal complaint, ask to see their dispute resolution procedure. If this failes sue the bustards. Worth spending the money at the Small Claims Court just for the hassle that it gives them. PM Malumbu and he will help you with the forms.

The more people that do something about this the better for us all.

Alternatively just shop at Waitrose, John Lewis, and move into the store and live there.

[Loz]

malumbu Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act is that you have the opportunity to inspect the item.

He bought it in a shop. Sol might indicate otherwise, but I would be surprised if he had no opportunity to inspect the item in question.

[dulwichgirl2]

What utter fools they are. Who reading this would buy from them? They have lost quite a bit of business the idiots.

[Sol]

There was not opportunity to check the item in the shop, they didn't let us open the box in front of them to check before we bought it. The item also mentioned an USB port, but it didn't recognise any of the movies we had in the memory stick. The one we bought in Amazon worked perfectly and made a different to our holiday, as our flight got delay and we had to wait hours in the airport, my kids got really got use of it, in the plane, airport and car.

As many people said the staff at Currys do not know anything about their products they sell.

[Sol]

Very useful information Malambu, thank you!

We did requested to check the item in the shop, but they didn't let us open the box

[Otta]

I bought a PC in the New X gate Curry's about a year ago. 6 months later when the monitor was playing up I found the staff very polite and helpful.

They are not experts, but the shop isn't a specialist shop, and I don't really expect them to be experts. They are sales assistants, same as you find in any high street shop.

I suspect the staff in Gap, Top Shop, or Next are not fashion experts either.

[zeban]

That may be so Otta, but then don't say one of your products has/does something that it doesn't! Just say you're not sure! Otherwise you are misleading the customer. I have learnt though that if I ever go anywhere like Curry's that I do my homework first as the staff really don't know anything about their products in such places.

[Sol]

Why does Curry's bother to pay for staff? if they don't know or do anything, they'd rather close the store and sell online

[the-e-dealer]

Dixons already has!

[Gidget]

Malumbu

It would be very helpful if you would post over on the Hunter Boots at Jolie a Pied thread.

[ianr]

Next time it might be better to ask if it has an internal battery or can be used on a bus.

[ED2013]

Currys are the worst. Had a similar experience with them and now only use amazon or Argos

[Sol]

Agree

[Townleygreen]

Comet are as bad as Currys in my experience. I'd add John Lewis to Amazon and maybe Argos

[Loz]

Whilst I don't have a problem with either Amazon or Argos, for someone that would buy something sight unseen with zero research they are not going to be much better, are they?