Returning old or broken cheap items while under warranty ?

juventino on 24/03/2014 - 01:57

Hi all, just want to gauge everyone's responses.

I work for one of the retailers or discounters. Over the years, I've noticed there has been a trend or a pattern where customers buying the cheapest item of home appliances ( $7 kettles, $10 toasters, $30 vacuum cleaners) and returning them to the store. All of these items have 1 year warranty despite the cheap tag price.

The same bunch of customers will be using the items for say 8-9 months and try to return it because parts are getting dirty or didn't function as well as the new ones. We are instructed to refund or give them a new one every single time as it is still under warranty. So they get the new ones and most of the time will choose the cheapest brand, and the cycle continues. 8-9 months later they will return to the store and complain. Most of the time with toasters filled with bread crumbs, butter, cheese, nutella what have you or disgusting microwave with insides looking like someone's vomit ?

What will ozbargainers do in this case? Would you buy a $7 kettles and expect it to be used daily and function well for a year ? and tried to get a replacement if it doesn't

I know, legally we all can claim for refund or exchange as it is still under warranty, but the little voices always tell me to get the same new ones or even better new ones instead of hassling the staff.

General Discussion

Comments

  • mskeggs on 24/03/2014 - 09:41
    +2

    I expect any appliance bought new to last longer than the warranty, regardless of the price point.
    I would return a defective item, but not one that was just dirty/used.
    I suppose I might not bother if it was a $7 kettle, if it was more convenient to just buy a replacement.
    The store has the ability to choose the stock and the price point, so should stock more reliable products if returns are an issue.

  • tanoshiiki on 24/03/2014 - 10:01

    Regardless of the price, if the product is supposed to function in a certain way in a reasonable lifetime, I think the product should be returned.

    Yes, sometimes it can be an inconvenience to return it, but the store should also know that their product stock do not function properly for the reasonable lifetime and should then improve their stock.

  • ilostnemo on 24/03/2014 - 10:40

    What do these kettles cost the shop?
    When you order 100, do they supply 120 and you use the extras for warranty.
    I'd guess they would go straight into the bin.

    My problem is when I buy these cheap products, I don't keep the receipt. It is inconvenient to return it, but usually the product has to be replaced asap, so may as well get it for free.

  • Yacht on 24/03/2014 - 10:54
    +1

    I've had issues where the reciept has faded and the shop will not except a scanned copy for verification.
    They said they would only accept the origibal reciept and not a copy.

    Planned obsolescence is in almost every product we buy.

    • Geewhizz on 24/03/2014 - 12:41

      Provided you have proof of purchase, they can't insist on original warranty. A good reason not to pay with cash, as you'll be able to get the date from your scanned receipt, then just go to your bank records for that time.

  • slknv on 24/03/2014 - 12:55

    I was under the understanding the warranty is for one year from date of first purchase, not a "cycling" 1 year warranty that starts again from the date of return of the faulty item? Can someone correct me if that's wrong?

    • MustResistPurchase on 24/03/2014 - 23:10

      The company refunds the individual who then goes and buys another cheap product, which allows a new warranty to start.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2014 - 13:12
    +2

    Retailers need to stop selling goods that aren't of saleable quality and consumers need to stop buying landfill content.

    That said kettles and toasters are just heating elements. Cheapies should last years regardless of price. Whether they burn down your house is another story.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2014 - 23:29

      Retailers need to stop selling goods that aren't of saleable quality and consumers need to stop buying landfill content.

      Amen, brother.

  • minniethemoocher on 25/03/2014 - 16:25

    I blame the retailers, they shouldn't stock such cheap, nasty goods. I generally don't shop at Kmart for this reason, everything I buys breaks down after a short time & I end up returning it. I don't care how much I have paid for it, it needs to last for at least the warranty. 20 months ago on impulse bought a $30 breville toaster from K-mart, it lasted 10 months, I returned it and got a new one. After 10 months the new one broke down. Got my money back and I will buy a good one but I had a toaster for free for 20 months. Maybe retailers need to bring in depreciation or make the warranty from the purchase of the first item.
    After I had a run on returning stuff from kmart I asked an acquaintance who worked there if they had many returns, she said heaps. Although I suspect most people don't bother returning cheap goods when they break down, if they did these retailers wouldn't make any money.

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