Should/can he demand his money back?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Jaded

New Member
dudi said:
If it is a dispute over the quality of the product, defective component or not, the buyer has a right to refund, replacement or repair. and it is the buyers decision which they get.

Would a car be replaced if it became faulty after 11 months and 28 days and 30,000 miles because the buyer decided it should be?
 

bonj2

Guest
why dont' you just fix it rather than throwing the toys out the pram.
 

Tynan

Veteran
Location
e4
suspect the shop is allowed to make it right, a tad unusual; these days in the disposable society, surprised they have to order in parts though

I'd certainly complain to Giant if only in the hope you'll get something, they sound likeliest to be the party at fault

happens sometimes, grin and bear it, my spanking new Fratello, assembled by shoot hot mechanics came with a warped chain ring, go figure, all sorted out now though with no need for shouting other than some firm expression of what i considered correct
 

dudi

Senior Member
Location
Ipswich, Suffolk
Jaded said:
Would a car be replaced if it became faulty after 11 months and 28 days and 30,000 miles because the buyer decided it should be?

well, due to the time the customer has had the goods, it depends what the problem is.
but the kid has not had the bike just short of a year.

If a car's gearbox broke after it's first outing (similar sort of situation) then yes. the buyer could easilly demand a refund on that product.
 

Jonathan M

New Member
Location
Merseyside
My thoughts - if wheelset or frame broke,or significant component such as stem or handlebar, then I'd agree with pushing for a complete refund.

In terms of this problem, the OP describes a front mech problem that is then traced to the shifter. Both are replaceable parts (indeed, if Campag possibly repairable), and with regards to the delay, that might be Giant's fault,or it might not be - the shop may be dragging heels. Or is it that they are busy in the workshop, and that to turn the job around faster would mean defaulting on other customers work? I would go with the diplomatic solution first, and also contact Giant to let them know about issues with one of their retailers.

In terms of a field repair on the day of the problem (a bit late, I know), then if it was a standard front mech removing the cable would have allowed the mech to spring into the inner position giving lower gears that may have helped the return journey somewhat for your son.
 

Jaded

New Member
dudi said:
well, due to the time the customer has had the goods, it depends what the problem is.
but the kid has not had the bike just short of a year.

If a car's gearbox broke after it's first outing (similar sort of situation) then yes. the buyer could easilly demand a refund on that product.

So, the buyer cannot choose if they get a refund then. Like I said in a post a few pages ago, and unlike your first post, there is not always an automatic right to a refund.

The shop has said they will repair it and if they do then the lad has a bike that works that he paid for. It is quite likely that if he plays his cards right he could get something free for the trouble that he has been put to.

If on the other hand he goes in guns blazing he risks alienating the shop and ultimately getting nowhere as he'll have to go and buy a bike somewhere else.


It's a grey area which is why I suggested getting advice, and not advice from an internet forum, where often the suggestions are wrong, or very wrong! :evil:
 

Jaded

New Member
dudi said:
life is very black and white for you...

No, it is black and white for you. You said that customers have a right to a refund, based on your experience in a vehicle finance business. That is wrong.

I have said that it is a grey area and that people shouldn't take advice from a forum.
 

Jaded

New Member
dudi said:
I work inthe motor finance industry. and I would guess that the "merchantable quality" standpoint rings as true with a bike as it does with a car.
If we finance a car that has a problem with it, the customer has the right to demand a full refund, under the sale of goods act, as others have mentioned.
I would go to the shop, and demand that refund

Just to remind you what you said.

Then you said

If it is a dispute over the quality of the product, defective component or not, the buyer has a right to refund, replacement or repair. and it is the buyers decision which they get.


Then you said

well, due to the time the customer has had the goods, it depends what the problem is.


:evil:

He may have a right to a refund. He should take advice if he thinks he should get a refund, and the shop refuses. It's better than a baseball bat.
 

dudi

Senior Member
Location
Ipswich, Suffolk
you obviousy mis-understood me.
but never mind.

A merchantable quality dispute, or MQ dispute as they're known can only happen within a very short time of takng ownership. as in this case.

The scenario you painted was one that would be classed merely as a Warrantee claim

There is a vast difference between being sold a product that was no good to start with and a product where a component wears out slightly sooner than you might expect.

Not to put too blunt a point on it. if you were to go to Tesco and buy a loaf of bread that was in a paper bag, meaning you have not seen it. and then when you got it home and unwrapped it and it was mouldy, you would be well within your rights to return to the store straight away and expect a refund.
If, however you were to leave that bread for a few days, then open it and discover it was mouldy, that would be a different matter.
 

Jaded

New Member
dude,

That is exactly what I have been saying. There is no automatic right to a refund.

two weeks can be a long time in a bike's life. The LBS in question has no knowledge of what the bike has been exposed to in those two weeks. Possibly the fault arose after 1,600 miles of riding, possibly after none.

It is a grey area.

Like I said.
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
A few months ago I would have sided with though who say rant, shout, threaten, etc. Now I feel that arming yourself with your rights and speaking politely and quietly will get you much further and you may well get a MUCH better service in the future. Chuck with the CAB as to your rights (even though I am sure "Dudi" is 100% right). Best of luck and please keep us informed.
 
OP
OP
PaulB

PaulB

Legendary Member
Location
Colne
Latest news is not at all good. My son was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and has just called them for an update only to be told it will be at least another two weeks before the problem is rectified! This will be five weeks he'll have been without it and less than two weeks with it. The shop's now telling him they have to have the opportunity to put it right but come on, he's ridden less than 100 miles on a brand new bike and it's broken. They don't have a leg to stand on, do they?
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
I would get in touch with Trading Standards and your local C.A.B. This does sound as though your sons rights are being ignored but this is (as so many others have pointed out) a very grey area in the law.

PS

A letter to your local newspaper might not go amiss as well.


PaulB said:
Latest news is not at all good. My son was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and has just called them for an update only to be told it will be at least another two weeks before the problem is rectified! This will be five weeks he'll have been without it and less than two weeks with it. The shop's now telling him they have to have the opportunity to put it right but come on, he's ridden less than 100 miles on a brand new bike and it's broken. They don't have a leg to stand on, do they?
 

Ivan Ardon

Well-Known Member
PaulB said:
Latest news is not at all good. My son was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and has just called them for an update only to be told it will be at least another two weeks before the problem is rectified!

How on earth do the LBS justify that? It's a new bike with standard off the shelf parts, not some vintage exotica.

Name and shame I say.
 
Top Bottom