:rant::rant::rant:

A few months ago I bought an iron from Sainsburys at Crystal Peaks. It cost £25 and unfortunately I did not keep the receipt.

After using it about a dozen times it's now broken and doesn't work properly. As I need an iron I decided to take it back and swap it for one that works. :(

I took it back on Tuesday and explained that I'd lost the receipt. I was told that there was nothing they could do but if I wasn't happy I'd have to come back later to see the manager. :o

Well I wasn't happy so returned with my broken iron yesterday and spoke to Andy the manager. I apologised for not keeping my receipt but stated categorically that I'd bought it from his store, I did not want my money back and simply wanted to swap it.

He refused point blank to help me. He stated it was against company policy to exchange goods without a receipt and couldn't/wouldn't even do it as a matter of good will. He implied that I may have bought it elsewhere and asked me what he could do with a broken iron. :loopy:

He refused to listen to me and ignored the fact that I spend (spent!!!) a fortune in his store. Boy was I mad! So if anyone heard a ranting woman in Sainsburys yesterday afternoon I apologise but be warned! Don't bother buying electrical goods from Sainsbury's !!!

Buy another identical one from Sainsburys, keep the receipt, take back the broken one in the box (while keeping the good one) and explain it's broken. Ask for a full refund which they're obliged to give you. Hey presto, job sorted.

Yes I thought of that but my argument with 'Andy - the Manager' I decided I'd rather not have anything electrical from Sainsburys ever again!

I've also bought a better one from a shop that will give refunds.

Fancy buying a broken iron?

ASDA are fantastic for switching things even without a receipt. We got an iron from there it broke after just after a yr (they had a 3yr warranty going at that time) and although they didn't stock that brand anymore the woman said looks like one we used to sell, go choose another one, simple as that!


I can't big ASDA up enough for their brilliant Customer Service!

I can see his point, without your proof of purchase how can the store be sure you bought it from them in the first place unless it was a home brand.
I'll continue to buy goods from Sainsburys as i find them to be good value, and good to replace items...... with a valid receipt :D

Yes I thought of that but my argument with 'Andy - the Manager' I decided I'd rather not have anything electrical from Sainsburys ever again!

I've also bought a better one from a shop that will give refunds.

Fancy buying a broken iron?



Sainsburys do give refunds with a receipt. Will you not need a receipt if you take the new Iron back to this other shop ?

Proof of purchase doesn't necessarily have to be the store's till receipt. Following is an extract from a BBC shoppers' rights article

"Every retailer is entitled to be shown some sort of receipt to prove that they sold the goods or services in question.

Examples of proof of purchase include till receipts, credit or debit payment slips, credit card bills and bank account statements"

If you can remember how you paid for the iron, and can produce the appropriate bank statement/credit card statement, then you have proof of purchase. If you bought it along with other items, the store should be able to check what the payment actually covered - their dratted till computers record everything about you these days.

Unfortunately, if you paid cash, I think you're stuck.

http://www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/service/detail.asp?ID=2870#1
Here is lots of info on returning goods.

Look at fourth question down.

Can't see how it's Sainsbury's fault if you didn't keep your receipt, this thread should be called "Don't throw your receipt away.". As said before do you have a credit/debit card statement? What make is the Iron? You may get more success with the manufacturer.

Could be worse, I've got a Tesco value iron that cost a whole £5, I've used it 3 times and now it trips the circuit of my whole house if I plug it in. I honestly expected more for that price :shakes:



:hihi:

How can you blame Sainsburys for not exchanging goods that you couldn't prove you bought from them? :huh:

Imagine if you were a shopkeeper and this happened to you, would you readily hand over replacement goods with no questions asked?
:suspect: I suspect the answer is NO.

How can you blame Sainsburys for not exchanging goods that you couldn't prove you bought from them? :huh:

Imagine if you were a shopkeeper and this happened to you, would you readily hand over replacement goods with no questions asked?
:suspect: I suspect the answer is NO.

The majority of larger stores will replace (not refund) faulty goods without a receipt as a gesture of good service. I returned a pair of shoes after four months because the soles on both split completely in half. Of course I wasn't going to keep a receipt for four months and they did replace the shoes, albeit for a different pair because I was sure the fault would exist with all identical style shoes.

Even if that particular iron had been purchased elsewhere, Sainsbury's would be able to return it to their supplier/the manufacturer and get the refund or replacement. As I said, most places are usually happy to do it.

Proof of purchase doesn't necessarily have to be the store's till receipt. Following is an extract from a BBC shoppers' rights article

"Every retailer is entitled to be shown some sort of receipt to prove that they sold the goods or services in question.

Examples of proof of purchase include till receipts, credit or debit payment slips, credit card bills and bank account statements"


That's an odd thing for a shoppers' rights article to print.

In fact, within a reasonable time limit, if you find your goods to be faulty you do not need to provide proof of purchase. The store from which you bought them has a legal obligation to give you a full refund, receipt or not. If they think you're attempting an act of fraud, the onus is on them to prove the crime; it is not your duty to prove you are innocent.

In the OP's case, several months probably falls outside the remit of consumer rights laws; in which case, even if she did have a receipt there is no obligation for Sainsbury's to refund it, replace it, or do any damn thing whatsoever. (Of course, if they care about customer service, they will still do so.)

The staff at Sainsbury's Crystal Peaks are so dozy, you could just walk in there, take what you want, and walk straight out again without anyone stopping you.

I say this because, on Friday, i bought a microwave from there. Obviously, i couldn't get it in a plastic bag, so after paying for it i just put it in the trolley and walked out. The alarm went off, so i stopped and waited for someone to come along, shop staff or security. No-one did. I coulda just got a trolley, chucked the microwave in there and walked out!

Not read all the thread but do they have club cards? if so it will be on there as a purchase and I an sure you can ask them to check. The log everyhting you buy for marketing you should be able to prove it.
Send a letter to their head office. I they don't have club cards then you can't really blame them for not swapping it with no reciept as it could be from anywhere.

.....
In fact, within a reasonable time limit, if you find your goods to be faulty you do not need to provide proof of purchase. The store from which you bought them has a legal obligation to give you a full refund, receipt or not. If they think you're attempting an act of fraud, the onus is on them to prove the crime; it is not your duty to prove you are innocent.

In the OP's case, several months probably falls outside the remit of consumer rights laws; in which case, even if she did have a receipt there is no obligation for Sainsbury's to refund it, replace it, or do any damn thing whatsoever. (Of course, if they care about customer service, they will still do so.)

On the first point, perhaps you can provide a link to the appropriate legislation or guidance which states this as a fact?

And, according to the BBC, buyers have 6 years to claim compensation for faulty goods:

"Returning goods
If you're returning goods because they're faulty, you're only entitled to a full refund if you're returning very soon after purchase. If not, then there's a pecking order of remedies available, depending on their suitability in the particular circumstances. These remedies are repair, replacement, price reduction and finally a partial refund (taking into account wear and tear).

.....

Guarantees
The shop may say you have to claim a refund from the manufacturer, or claim under the manufacturer's guarantee. This isn't true. Shoppers' rights under the Sale of Goods Act are against the retailer, not the manufacturer. Guarantees simply give additional rights which shoppers can choose to use.

Sometimes it's easier to use the guarantee, but you should make it clear to the shop that you're reserving your rights under the Sale of Goods Act if you aren't happy. You have up to six years to claim compensation from a retailer for a faulty product, far longer than you have under most guarantees. Also, rights under guarantees are only as stated in any particular guarantee. For example, it may only be a right to repair and involve you paying the cost of the carriage, which means it isn't cost-effective."

Again, perhaps you could provide a link to your source of information, if you believe the BBC Consumer Guides to be incorrect.

The majority of larger stores will replace (not refund) faulty goods without a receipt as a gesture of good service. But they don't have to and are not in the wrong for refusing to do so.

Just to point out - the limitation period of 6 years applies only to faults present at the time of purchase, and the burden of proof lies on the purchasers to prove that said fault was indeed present at such time. The more time elapses the harder it becomes to discharge this burden.

Just to point out - the limitation period of 6 years applies only to faults present at the time of purchase, and the burden of proof lies on the purchasers to prove that said fault was indeed present at such time. The more time elapses the harder it becomes to discharge this burden.

Sorry but that's incorrect.

The Sale of Goods Act states that you have redress against the retailer for faults that develop for up to six years. The fault doesn't have to be present at the time of purchase.

It all depends on the type of item and how much it cost. For example, if you bought a £5 iron you might argue that it should last at least a year or two. However if you bought an £80 iron you might expect it to last at least 5-6 years. Therefore if it develops a fault at any time within that period you can get a proportional refund from the retailer.

As an example my mum has just got a partial refund from Argos for a £50 DAB radio that broke after 18 months. The shop assistant said no refund ("outside guarantee" - irrelevant), the junior manager said no refund. My mum then mentioned the Sale of Goods Act, threatened small claims court action, and was subsequently offered a £40 refund. Retailers know the law but will do everything to wriggle out of their obligations as it reduces their profits.

Sorry but that's incorrect.

The Sale of Goods Act states that you have redress against the retailer for faults that develop for up to six years. The fault doesn't have to be present at the time of purchase.

It all depends on the type of item and how much it cost. For example, if you bought a £5 iron you might argue that it should last at least a year or two. However if you bought an £80 iron you might expect it to last at least 5-6 years. Therefore if it develops a fault at any time within that period you can get a proportional refund from the retailer.

As an example my mum has just got a partial refund from Argos for a £50 DAB radio that broke after 18 months. The shop assistant said no refund ("outside guarantee" - irrelevant), the junior manager said no refund. My mum then mentioned the Sale of Goods Act, threatened small claims court action, and was subsequently offered a £40 refund. Retailers know the law but will do everything to wriggle out of their obligations as it reduces their profits.

Hm good point - I bought an iPod Nano for £120 from Argos that no longer works after 18 months and I just gave it up as a loss and bought a new one but with extended warranty. Does this mean if I can find proof of purchase (should be able to - I bought it on a credit card) I can take it back?

Hm good point - I bought an iPod Nano for £120 from Argos that no longer works after 18 months and I just gave it up as a loss and bought a new one but with extended warranty. Does this mean if I can find proof of purchase (should be able to - I bought it on a credit card) I can take it back?

Hm nope I don't think I can seeing as it just 'went wrong' and wasn't faulty at the time of purchase.

Jonesy wasn't incorrect. From the CAB:

If you have had your goods for more than six months when they go wrong, you can still ask the trader to repair or replace them, but you may have to prove that they were faulty when you bought them if the trader doesn't agree. You can ask for a repair or replacement at any time up to six years after you bought the goods (five years in Scotland), as long as it is reasonable for them to have lasted this long. If the goods go wrong after six years (or five in Scotland), you no longer have the right to ask for a repair or replacement.

I think "faulty when you bought them" just means that you didn't do anything to break them yourself. If your iPod is covered in scratches and dents, you probably don't stand much chance, but if it looks like new it's very unlikely that something you did was the cause of the problem ie it was faulty when you bought it, albeit the fault didn't show itself for a few months.

You bought it from there, need I say no more!

I think "faulty when you bought them" just means that you didn't do anything to break them yourself. If your iPod is covered in scratches and dents, you probably don't stand much chance, but if it looks like new it's very unlikely that something you did was the cause of the problem ie it was faulty when you bought it, albeit the fault didn't show itself for a few months.

It does look like new but it's a disc problem, it totally corrupted and can no longer communicate with a computer. It's a reasonably well known fault which some think was actually caused by the latest iTunes update so I don't think I have much recourse.

You bought it from there, need I say no more!

An iPod is an iPod, why on earth does it matter where I bought it from?. I had two options, get it there or from Dixons, and at the time I'd had nothing but shocking service from Dixons so chose Argos instead.

Thanks for all the replies. Whilst I appreciate that I tried to exchange my iron without a receipt I thought I'd be OK because

1. I paid by switch so can prove I was in the store the day I purchased it
2. I used my Sainsbury's card

When I tried explaining this to 'Andy - the manager' he wasn't interested. He wouldn't take my details, nor my iron saying "what am I supposed to do with that?"

I still can't believe his attitude. I've now bought a new iron (a much better one too from Costco) and will keep the receipt!

Sorry but that's incorrect.

The Sale of Goods Act states that you have redress against the retailer for faults that develop for up to six years. The fault doesn't have to be present at the time of purchase.



What do I know, I've only got a degree in all this stuff ;) Without being funny, my post was, certainly in so far as it went, accurate. 'Faulty when you bought them' means exactly that - and it's practically impossible to prove in the huge majority of cases.

It does look like new but it's a disc problem, it totally corrupted and can no longer communicate with a computer. It's a reasonably well known fault which some think was actually caused by the latest iTunes update so I don't think I have much recourse.



An iPod is an iPod, why on earth does it matter where I bought it from?. I had two options, get it there or from Dixons, and at the time I'd had nothing but shocking service from Dixons so chose Argos instead.

Can I suggest you take your ipod to the apple store? I had a similar problem and they hooked it up to one of their instore computers, did something and it worked again. There was no charge and it was a really old ipod mini. I took mine to the Regent Street branch in London, I don't know if Meadowhall branch has a repair centre but you could give them a call. I have also had my battery renewed so all in all am delighted with my ipod and the support offered by apple.

An update. I have checked on the Apple website and they have a Genius Bar where they will try and help you but you have to reserve a timeslot. You can do it via the apple website.

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/meadowhall/week/20070819.html

80 High Street
Meadowhall Shopping Centre
Sheffield, S9 1EN
0114 212 1000

What do I know, I've only got a degree in all this stuff ;) Without being funny, my post was, certainly in so far as it went, accurate. 'Faulty when you bought them' means exactly that - and it's practically impossible to prove in the huge majority of cases.

They do a degree in the Sale of Goods Act now? Blimey!! that is specialised. :hihi:

Shop elsewhere?

You wouldn't need to save a receipt at Costco - they keep all transactions on the computer under your membership number - it's brilliant

yeh seriously, sainsburys aren't the best choice for electronical goods, try ebay?

I work for another large supermarket and have replaced broken electrical items without receipt, a straight swap! Whats the point in hastle!