The Good Guys Aircon installer installed the wrong model

Basically I bought "model a" but got a "model x" instead. I paid for the Aircon and installation together. Good guys then arranged to have the Aircon be picked up from their store and installed at home.
The Aircon power is the same except the one I paid for use newer with features I liked (hehe I chose it over other models/brands).

What are my rights? I had a look at the ACCC page (https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/problem-with-a-product-or-…) and I think refund or a replacement. I would much prefer a replacement as I really wanted the original model I paid for.

Thoughts?

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  • +179

    My thought is that I wonder if you thought to ask The Good Guys about this.

      • +250

        Just FYI, 363 times out of 365, they reopen again the next day.

        • +2

          You forgot easter LWK

          • @furyou: Stores are only restricted from trading on Good Friday.

        • -2

          How do they close 365 times but only open 363?

          • +2

            @bejahi: 363 times out of 365 days… 🙄

      • +20

        Sounds like cognitive torture to have to wait for ~10hrs. 🤷

      • +7

        god
        society really is going down the toilet

        • ….going…going….gone!

      • +8

        no, I'm pretty sure this was Good Guys end game. now that they've switched ACs on OP they're packing up and fleeing the country.

        • +3

          Are you suggesting they weren't actually good guys?

    • +11

      Controversial take

  • +23

    If your invoice has a different model than the one they provided to you/installed, I'd imagine once you tell them, they're going to swap it over for the correct model.

    Can't imagine they'd give you a refund because they'd have to pay to get it removed and you'd be left with a giant hole on your wall (if a new install)

    • +21

      you'd be left with a giant hole on your wall

      There will be nothing glorious about that.

      • There no giant hole for split systems. There will be a small hole. I doubt the OP bought a window rattler

        • +7

          I mean my definition of a giant hole in a wall is anything bigger than a nail hole 😂

      • if that's what they will do I'd make sure i put turd in the air con before they take it away to leave a gaping hole that was never there to begin with.

    • +11

      Can't imagine they'd give you a refund because they'd have to pay to get it removed

      They'll have to do this anyway. Removing - some times called decommissioning - an AC is almost as expensive as installing one.

      My guess is they will offer a compensation package to OP, because this balls-up is going to cost them hundreds - at a minimum.

      • Oh, yeah, I meant refunding so to get it removed and then have to repair the wall

      • It would be completely fair for them to refund the difference and some extra money (up for debate how much, but I would say at least a hundred or two) for lumping them with their mistake for the next 15 years or so the thing might last for. Otherwise they can come and rectify their mistake. If it was me and I spent e.g 1500 on the unit and 700 on the install, and it was missing key features I wanted, I would be asking for at least another 250 off. At the end of the day their markup is way more than that, so they are getting off very lightly. I would probably start at 500 and see if they work it down.

        • +7

          I would be asking for at least another 250 off.

          I'd be asking for a lot more than that.

          They would have to pay the installer to come and remove the old unit and install the new unit. Installing the new unit would be pretty cheap, as they would re-use all the plumbing and wiring, but it's the removal with having to stop all the gas leaking etc. that would be costing money.

          This cost would be incurred if they wanted a refund, and it isn't a repair situation.

          OP has them by the goolies!

          • @photonbuddy: Probably, but maybe not. If it was the installers screw up he might be inclined to come and do the extra labour and wear that than have money taken off him. But yes there is some leverage and if he isn't too greedy he will come out with a nice saving, maybe up to 500. That's my take anyway

            • +2

              @Jackson:

              If it was the installers screw up he might be inclined to come and do the extra labour and wear that than have money taken off him.

              Well … I suppose TGG could say to the installer "You should have checked!!!" but then the installer would say "You had one job … give me the product to install!!!"

              Whatever happened, OP is dealing with the TGG, not the installer.

              • +1

                @photonbuddy: True, but looking at it as a basic equation, there's a dollar amount where it stops making sense. That might be 1-2k for the good guys, but it might be much lower if it's being passed on. Depends on lot of factors but it just boils down to where that line is and not crossing it to your own detriment. It's also entirely possible that the installer had both on board due to doing multiple installs and he took the wrong one out for that customer (although a less likely scenario, it's not ruled out)

                • +2

                  @Jackson:

                  It's also entirely possible that the installer had both on board due to doing multiple installs and he took the wrong one out for that customer (although a less likely scenario, it's not ruled out)

                  That's actually a good point, and while less likely, it could have happened if the 2 are similarly popular with buyers.

                  In this case, it'd be on the installer to rectify the issue, but OP would be still dealing with TGG …

                  • +1

                    @photonbuddy: Maybe somewhere, someone just got a free upgrade on the same day as the OP got jipped :-)

  • +2

    What was your aircon installation cost ?

    • +1

      Would like to know too. Also, who picked up the Aircon?

    • +45

      Why would you think they are installing the wrong air conditioner?

        • +8

          I recently got an air conditioner installed and I didn’t check the model before they installed it. Didn’t even occur to me that would turn up with the wrong one. I did look at the box to see it was the right brand name but I didn’t look at the model number.

          I do check all my parcels when I open them.

          • +4

            @try2bhelpful: I had ducted installed over a year ago, i've still not checked if they installed the right model outside. Maybe I should get up and do that….. nah she'll be right.

    • +2

      thats their job to check

      • -5

        So?

        I mean OK, it's reasonable to expect the right goods to be delivered but sometimes people screw up so spending a whole 3 seconds to check that what you got was what you ordered should be matter of course. In this case it was an expensive assumption on the part of the OP. Not sure why all the down votes, am I the only one in Australia who checks their parcels?

        • +1

          You know the answer. They didn't check.

          Guess what that changes? Nothing.

        • +2

          blaming the victim here when the store is at fault?

    • +2

      Lol some of us have better things to do than micromanage others.

      I might check afterwards once they leave/if things aren't working, but otherwise life is a lot better if you're not paranoid/distrustful of everyone.

  • +12

    If at all happy with it, you may be able to save some $$$ if they give you a discount for keeping it (removing it and putting the correct one in would be much more expensive for them).

    Australian Consumer Law wise obviously you are entitled for them to deliver the goods (aircon) and install it (service).

  • +10

    somehow i'm pretty sure if you call the goodguys they will sort it out.

    • +8

      Think OP wants answer now, as opposed to a few hours time when GG is open…

      Figure most would contact GG as you're right, they'd have the answers.

    • +2

      The naivety of someone who hasn't dealt with the good guys before.

  • +2

    as you've given no details on the model or differences, the solution could be anywhere between swapping the remote for the new models, swapping just the internal head-unit, or having to replace the entire thing.

  • +1

    What if they gave you the difference between the price of the two models ? Or are you looking for a law suit with them with a massive payout ?

    • +17

      100% they are waiting for someone to say “get them to replace it with the unit you ordered and get them to give you a full refund…” then it’s “Thanks, this is the advise I was looking for…”

      • +5

        I would be looking for atleast a million dollar settlement for mistake like this. :D

    • I asked OzB, and they said…

  • +13

    OzGoodGuysHotline here.

    We can definitely arrange a replacement and refund for your trouble. Please DM with your credit card details and I can have someone over to your house this morning.

  • +2

    Store has just opened now in Radelaide.

    What did they say?

    • +23

      "we need to get back to you", store then checks Ozb for adviSe
      .

      • +15

        Case solved then.

        1. Correct system installed
        2. Full refund
        3. $200 TGG gift card
        4. Free Tesla model Y

        /thread

        • +27

          Plot twist. OP instead receives a Tesla model 3.

    • +1

      What did they say?

      Your call is important to us… leave your name and number after the tone and we will ignore you

      • -1

        Franco cozzo is my name. Call me back please

  • +10

    What happened, OP?

    I'm too deeply invested in this one to let it go.

  • +1

    off topic, how much is the aircon and how much was installation?

  • -7

    Why would anybody buy an AC from a store instead of just calling an AC company who buys them at whole-sale pricing and getting them to supply and install.

    • +7

      I got mine from the good guys via ebay after site wide discounts and vouchers for 25% less than what my brother can who works for an AC wholesaler

    • +1

      The HN fanboys get a kickback here to ask you to get one with no warranty.

    • +4

      AC company who buys them at whole-sale pricing

      you think good guys is buying them at retail from Panasonic/Fujitsu etc?

      Ducted, sure, thats dedicated AC companies territory.
      Split system, thats well within retail store territory and has been for a very long time.

  • +1

    Any reasonable store would surely offer to either come back and install the correct model, or refund you the difference in price between the two (and I would expect it to be your choice which is offered).

    If you Karened it up enough maybe you could get the installation fee refunded as a gesture of goodwill, but I wouldn't expect them to offer you that.

    I'm not sure what you're expecting from this thread.

  • -1

    They will offer you a replacement, the difference in price or a refund. You get to choose.

  • +14

    Last time this had happened to me, after I called the store and explained what happened - they sent an assassin over to keep me quiet.

    What ever you do, do NOT contact the good guys. You don't know what they might do.

    • +3

      Must have been a shit assassin; you're still alive. Or are you posting from beyond the grave?

      • +6

        Harold Halfprice has a very particular set of skills, skills they have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make them a nightmare for people like Gerry Harvey…

        • +2

          His name is whispered in hushed tones. They call him, the Professional.

          • +2

            @Daabido: He's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about.

      • +1

        They went to the wrong house… again

    • OP hasn't been seen for 4 days. I take that as essentially proof that OP was assassinated.

  • +7

    My guess is they'll push to refund you the price difference between the two models. Anything else will cost them money.

    Stand your ground if you really wanted the other model.

    In either case you need to get it sorted - if you have any warranty issues, they'll ask for the receipt that matches the a/c installed.

  • -1

    If the model is similar enough, a reinstallation might not be that difficult given piping and everything is already done,

    Or it could be dreadful cuz it’s completely different

    • You can't just unplug the old AC units and put the new ones in - legally anyway.

      You have to handle the gas correctly, which costs time and money. This is why most installers will tell you to buy a new AC unit, rather than try and move an existing one if you are moving residence.

      • Wait, what? People take their ducted/split air conditioner with them when moving? Do they take the light fittings, switches and internal cables as well?

        • No they don't. Moving an ac requires it to have the gas or refrigerant captured as it's a closed system and this can cost as much as 500 bucks including removing the AC from the wall and the outdoor system and terminating the power.

          • +1

            @initiateit: Removals are simple. You actually don’t need any equipment to capture the gas back into the the compressor and if it’s not hard wired (if you’re lucky) just unplug it and fill in the holes where the copper used to be.

            It’s only when you install you need to evacuate the pipes which is when you need the special equipment.

        • People take their ducted/split air conditioner with them when moving?

          Yep. Surprising, I know,

          When we had our 2 splits installed, I didn't have a clue, so asked about this.

          Installer told me unless it's happening within 12 months or so, it's not really economically viable. He followed up by saying he does around 20 relocations a year, some older systems included.

          Removing a ducted system would be a whole other level though.

          • @photonbuddy: I almost put aircon in a house i was renting, I would have paid to have it removed just so the landlord didn't get to keep it.

            • @811b11e8: You would have messed-up then!

              You should have made sure it didn't work in a way that was expensive to fix. Then the Landlord would have had to pay for it's removal.

        • I had the owner of the house we bought take the batteries from the air con remotes with them….

  • -1

    What are these key features you speak of.

    Very vague op.

    • 1 - cold air out
      2 - power saving "off" mode
      3 - ambient noise generation
      4 - green light "on" indicator

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