Page 1 of DON`T BUY FROM DIXONS OR CURRYS

Just a warning to people after my experience. I bought a Grundig 220 player from Currys a month ago. It skips on disks like a lamb in the spring, yet they refused to exchange it for a different model because when they `tested` it in store (by watching a film for 2 minutes, the problem (obviously) wasn`t apparent. They also claim that they only exchange for `technical faults` (i.e. not design faults with a particular product) Everyone - stick to those places that give you a `no quibble` guarantee exchange or refund e.g. Tesco or Richer Sounds - you might save yourselves a lot of hassle and energy. Im stuck with a crap player now, and I haven`t got the time to take them to court over it. Be warned.

Just to let you know, I have never bought anything from dixons or currys-theres a interesting article by which this month that talks about dixons-currys-comet etc, how they are talking a dvd player or a vcr machine even though they only come with 1 yr guarentee they are actually stating that under european law- the shop who sells you the item has to be responsible for any faults for 6yrs after the itme was purchased- ive not read the review in question but only heard about it.

Can you find out where the article is?
Anyone know about this law?
Excellent if its true.... superb ammo to use against a Manager of a store. :)

This item was edited on Sunday, 25th February 2001, 23:51

The article is actually in Which ? magazine (Feb 2001) pp6-7. I quote :

"Under the Sales of Goods Act, retailers are responsible for faulty goods (that are not `of satisfactory quality`) for up to six years after you bought them."

They went round a lot of High Street stores with a VCR that was 18 months old and all bar one (John Lewis) fobbed off the customers with excuses such as (I quote from the Which? article " `Don`t blame me...we`re not definitely responsible after 12 months unless you`ve taken out a guarantee. The manufacturer is` " etc etc.

Villains were:

Currys, Powerhouse, Dixons, Argos, Comet, House of Fraser, Index, Miller Brothers, Scottish Power and Tempo

Which? have put in their findings to the DTI - clearly the sales assistants are not getting basic training in consumer rights from their employers, but the worrying thing is customers think that what they`re being told is true.

Hmmm...

The DTI do a leaflet "Unsatisfactory goods : your rights as a consumer" which can be had from 0870 150 2500.

Also worth checking out http://www.consumer.gov.uk for loads of useful advice, straight from the Government

Here`s what to do......

don`t phone the store.....just turn up with the player at their busiest time and make sure everyone hears you complaining......

quote the consumer credit act and demand some action.....tell them you have been to citizens advice......

as a former employee of Dixons Group....I can tell you that you`ll be suprised at the outcome..(unless of course they have you ejected from the shop......)

HaGGiS!

I have just fallen foul of the Dixons "Make it up as you go along" guarantee. I bought a Grundig MW70 28in wide screen TV from my local store. The TV had a build in Ondigital decoder that needed a software upgrade, the engineer arrived and fitted the upgrade on the saturday, by the Thursday the TV had broken down. I phoned the "service centre" and they said that as it was less than 28 days old I could take it back for a replacement. I phone the branch and they said that as it was a Managers Special product it was not covered by the 28 day rule. At no point was I informed of this exclusion and the warrenty document does not mention it. After 15 phone calls the best they could offer was a repair on the following Wednesday.

Could someone give me a pointer about the legality of this?

Thanks

Jim

Sale of Goods Act (1994 as amended)