Purchased an Office Chair from Kogan - Attempting to return

Hi all,

I purchased this Office / Gaming Chair from Kogan late December (29/12), received it 11/01.

Upon receiving it I immediately noticed the low quality design and the really cheaply made backing which is basically a aluminum tubular frame with springs and tension straps holding thin layers of mesh in the middle, there's no plastic or wood in the frame - Definitely not worth $199.00, I'd say it's a $100 chair maximum. It's clear that they're making a solid markup on these chairs and are likely controlling the feedback for this product.

Ever since I set it up it has been creaking, squeaking and popping in the mechanism that connects the backing to the base and in the backing of the seat. It's quite distracting and the slightest pressure on the backing create an auditable noise that can be heard across the house.

I contacted Kogan 13/01 (2 days after receiving it) to request information on how I can send back for a refund. I received a response to state that I can return under the 14 day change of mind policy for a credit but return postage would be onus on me. In my original enquiry I mentioned that I was unable to assess the quality of the chair prior to receiving it and that it's not meeting my expectation (I don't want a chair that makes noises every time I move). I did mention that pending on the response that I would be contacting the ACCC or Consumer Affairs.

Not sure if it's worth mentioning but the chair is one of their exclusive brand chairs.

My question is is the end-user expected to pay for return postage or am I entitled to send it back FOC based on any ACCC/Consumer Affairs polices? I had a look myself but couldn't find anything.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • +6

    Shame on you for buying from Kogan, shame, shame, shame.
    Now we got that outta the way, if you payed by Paypal, Paypal has a reimbursement policy for returns.

    • I went against my better judgement when I bought from Kogan, I deserve a few lashings at this point.

      I did purchase via PayPal (using a linked debit card)

  • +3

    I pulled out the popcorn when I read th title.. 'Purchased an Office Chair from Kogan'…

  • +1

    This post should be moved to the "Why, why, why?" forum…

  • +7

    Buying an office chair that you've never sat in is probably not a good idea even without the Kogan factor.

  • They've offered to take it. I think it's fair that you have to get it there.
    Lesson learnt buying a chair without trying one IRL first.

  • Can buy some decent second hand corp office chairs for $100 that retail for $600-700 (eg Haworth Zody) if you don’t mind a scuff mark here n there and giving it a clean up.
    I don’t want to downplay your frustration with the noise of the chair but all chairs in my experience have some noise when moving in the seat, but maybe it was louder than others 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • +1

    The cost to return the chair will probably cover the cost of buying the chair. I'd probably chalk it up as an expensive lesson and just use it until it breaks or until you have another bank to throw at a better chair.

    That being said, I'm not sure what you're expecting… it's a $199 chair, there's not much out there at $199 outside of the Office work tier chairs. You just sound like you're trying to justify why you should be allowed to return it.

  • +2

    Member since 2015 and still buy kogan branded product? Omg……… speechless

    The photo looks amazing
    The specs looks great
    The price is cheap
    Cant go wrong?

    Wrong… its crap….

  • +4

    Upon receiving it I immediately noticed the low quality design and the really cheaply made backing

    From a well reputed seller of fine goods such as Kogan? Surely not!

    exclusive brand

    I think what you meant to say is, "rebadged trash from Alibaba from the lowest possible bidder".

  • I bought a chair from Kogan as well and yes it was crap. I since realised that good chairs are actually quite expensive. Definitely a case of you get what you pay for. Lesson learned - do not buy a chair that you don't get to sit on first.

  • +1

    I get my home office chairs during hard rubbish.

    therefore i can't really complain that I overpaid for literally rubbish.

    • That's the same place Kogan seems to get their items.

  • +1

    Don’t buy from Kogan.

    Technically, yes, it’s a change of mind return if your only issue is perceived quality/noises. Unless there’s something physically wrong with it… Like some broken member or sheared bolt or missing part…

    May also be interested in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yhc6mmdJC4

  • +2

    Here's a pro-tip for OzBargainers with Kogan. Have a lower valued item that you don't like from Kogan?
    Seek a remedy from Kogan, ie, Tell them the item is not as advertised/faulty and ask they pay for return shipping. Get a quote for the return shipping, it will be high for this chair. They will refuse.
    Then go to your credit card company with this proof that you have tried to get a resolution from Kogan and file a chargeback.
    Kogan are massively understaffed and are letting lots of chargebacks for smaller amounts slip through, concentrating on the bigger fish, hence default refund.

  • Seems to be a lot of closet Kogan shoppers here….

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