Faulty Item - Taking a Manufacturer to VCAT

LDealseeker21 on 20/09/2023 - 18:14

So I have a faulty shower head in my bathroom and it leaks from the shower head and falls down when trying to use it, it was approx. $700.00

The manufacturer is telling me it's normal wear and tear and the product is only 3 months old and the seller keeps pushing me back to the manufacturer, which I know is not correct.

I am after a new shower head and the plumber to fix it as I'm not going to pay for this myself as the shower head should last longer than 3 months given that price point

I am in Melbourne and the seller and manufacturer is in Sydney.

Should I just lodge a VCAT dispute, or will they reject is as the company is based outside of Victoria ?

Credit card chargeback ?

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 20/09/2023 - 18:20
    +12

    Lol. $700 for a shower head.

    I think your thought you were on whirlpool.

  • Mechz on 20/09/2023 - 18:21
    +1

    Do you really need a plumber though?

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/09/2023 - 19:16

      Depends on the assembly. $700 maybe it’s a wanky all in once piece that requires a full removal of the fixture. Could be room for error … especially if you can’t be sure no leaks behind the tile

  • c64 on 20/09/2023 - 18:24
    +4

    you wouldn't have had these problems if only you ordered the commando 450 …

    • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2023 - 18:27
      +1

      haha … limp hair, don't care

  • 87percent on 20/09/2023 - 18:34
    +5

    $700 shower should definitely last longer than 3 months.. hell, my $50 from Bunnings has a 1 year warranty and every 11 months it mysteriously develops a fault and I get a new one from Bunnings

    • stringbean402 on 20/09/2023 - 20:24

      That's dedication to the cause right there.

      • 87percent on 21/09/2023 - 09:00

        The lady at Bunnings suggested I actually do it.

    • MeesusEff on 21/09/2023 - 00:33

      Here I am pretty chuffed with my $6.50 shower head from Temu, guess I'm a povo 😂

    • jv on 21/09/2023 - 01:32
      -1

      $700 shower should definitely last longer than 3 months.

      Depends on what it's made of.

  • Porker on 20/09/2023 - 18:35

    How are you going to prove that it's not (say) a user error, or installation error, etc.

    As example, the actual shower 'head' is not what controls the water flow through it, but is merely the discharge location. The control of water flow is actually at the tap end, where the lever/washer etc control the flow of water. As such, a faulty washer could lead to water dripping from the shower head.

    Best be sure that it's actually a manufacturers issue before spending even MORE money on this.

    • Dealseeker21 on 20/09/2023 - 18:38
      +1

      It leaks out of the top of the shower head, so a manufacturing fault.

      • Muzeeb on 20/09/2023 - 18:48

        Does it just need more Teflon® tape and adjusting?

  • bloom on 20/09/2023 - 18:39
    +11

    Technically a shower head should leak…

  • mskeggs on 20/09/2023 - 18:54
    +8

    Be procedural.
    Write a letter to whoever you think is keener to want nothing to do with you.
    Write a letter calmly summarizing the problem, note the dates you bought it, contacted the seller and manufacturer. Point out the item is failing within only 90 days of purchase.
    State that you wish a replacement as the item remains defective, and that you want the installation of the replacement to be paid for by them.
    Advise if you do not have a response confirming this within 10 days you will lodge a dispute with VCAT.
    Send this letter Attention: General Manager to the head office using registered mail.
    If you get no satisfactory response, file a case with VCAT with the letter as your evidence.

  • bobokingdom on 20/09/2023 - 18:55

    Any pictures?

    • Dealseeker21 on 20/09/2023 - 20:47

      Not yet, as nice as the money back would be, I would still be out of pocket as need a new showerhead and then $250 of labour to fit it off again

      • deme on 21/09/2023 - 18:07

        So.. why not chargeback for the product?

        Then you can focus on the consequential damages?

  • CurlCurl on 20/09/2023 - 19:12
    +1

    If you purchased it from a store in Melbourne they are responsible, not the whoever in Sydney.

    • Dealseeker21 on 20/09/2023 - 20:46

      Store was in Sydney, manufacturer/distributor head office is Brisbane

      • AndyC1 on 21/09/2023 - 19:15

        So how much of the original post is correct?

  • randomusername2017 on 20/09/2023 - 19:13

    approx. $700.00

    $50 for the hardware $650 for the tradie?

  • brendanm on 20/09/2023 - 20:20

    Is it $700 for the showerhead, or $700 for the showerhead and labour to fit?

    • Dealseeker21 on 20/09/2023 - 20:46

      Showerhead was $700, labour was part of the bathroom renovation

      • brendanm on 20/09/2023 - 23:34
        +1

        Seems like they should replace it then.

  • holdenmg on 20/09/2023 - 21:49

    Wouldn't a spray of Leak Stop Spray Seal fix this…

  • aussieprepper on 21/09/2023 - 03:13
    +1

    $700 shower head definitely on the wrong website lol.

    On a serous note any way you can take a picture? It might just need to be tighten?

  • Drakesy on 21/09/2023 - 10:46

    Yeah, retailer/manufacturer is going to lose.

  • doctordv8 on 21/09/2023 - 13:09

    $700 for a $70 item. If you can afford that to waste on over valued goods, you can afford your own Legal team.

    We here are way under your budget.

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