Meteor refund refusal

tophurler

Hi all,

I bought a mobile phone from a meteor store a few days before Christmas as a gift for someone, however that person received another phone and now this one is surplus to requirements, I contacted the meteor store and asked if they would be able to offer me a refund. I was told on the phone that if I had the receipt (which I do) and that it has not been opened (which it hasn't) then the manager of the shop may offer a refund.

I travelled to the shop, asked for the manager and was told that refunds are never given. I explained what I was told on the phone and the manager said that she would speak to the person who told me that information but that there was nothing she could do.

Do I have any leg to stand on?

TH

Mr. Presentable

no

cast_iron

No. The person on the phone said you may get a refund. It's at the discretion of the store manager.
As there is nothing wrong with the phone, the shop does not have to refund you anything. However, most big chains offer refunds or credit notes, but it's entirely a gesture of goodwill.

jimmynokia

by law you do have a leg to stand on
you have 28 days to change it once you have receipt and its unopened any more inquiries please ask.

tophurler

thanks guys,

do i have 28 days to get a refund though? or is it just to swap the phone for something else?

partyatmygaff

jimmynokia wrote: »

by law you do have a leg to stand on
you have 28 days to change it once you have receipt and its unopened any more inquiries please ask.

No you don't.

cyning

jimmynokia wrote: »

by law you do have a leg to stand on
you have 28 days to change it once you have receipt and its unopened any more inquiries please ask.

No you don't. The National Consumer Agency clearly states that

Where there is nothing specifically wrong or faulty with the goods and you simply no longer want them for whatever reason, this is regarded as a "change of mind". You have no automatic entitlement under consumer law to a refund in such circumstances.

link

theteal

cast_iron wrote: »

No. The person on the phone said you may get a refund. It's at the discretion of the store manager.
As there is nothing wrong with the phone, the shop does not have to refund you anything. However, most big chains offer refunds or credit notes, but it's entirely a gesture of goodwill.

this is the answer

sorry OP, the item is not faulty, they have no obligation to take it back

tophurler

ok thanks cyning! That "change of mind" was mentioned in my discussion with the manager, thanks for clarifying it for me!

jimmynokia

partyatmygaff wrote: »

No you don't.

yes yo do end of conversation

cast_iron

jimmynokia wrote: »

yes yo do end of conversation

He has linked to proof of his point. Post a link to back up yours.

jimmynokia

tophurler wrote: »

ok thanks cyning! That "change of mind" was mentioned in my discussion with the manager, thanks for clarifying it for me!

you did not change your mind


every christmas this happens with any shop .gifts purchased for xmas as gifts
you have a right for refund or credit full stop
if they disagree take it to the NCA or small claims court

jimmynokia

cast_iron wrote: »

He has linked to proof of his point. Post a link to back up yours.

i dont need it pal you have 28 days full stop
and lets just say i work in the business (thats my link):D

Nonoperational

What are you talking about? Your totally incorrect. Of course he changed his mind. He purchased it and now he wants to return it. No fault of meteor.

partyatmygaff

jimmynokia wrote: »

yes yo do end of conversation

You're wrong i'm afraid. They are obliged to give a refund or replacement only in the case of a faulty item. Anything else comes under manager's discretion.

partyatmygaff

jimmynokia wrote: »

i dont need it pal you have 28 days full stop
and lets just say i work in the business (thats my link):D

You don't need proof? When you state something that people know has no backing under consumer law you do need to provide some form of proof. Simply making empty statements like "i work in the business" doesn't count.

Jackobyte

I don't know whether you have any right to a refund (link to NCA website seems to say you don't) but you could always try another meteor store. When I had a problem with my phone, I brought it back to my local store even though I bought elsewhere due to no stock locally and there wasn't any problem. You may come across a more accommodating manager in another store.

Kensington

jimmynokia wrote: »

you did not change your mind


every christmas this happens with any shop .gifts purchased for xmas as gifts
you have a right for refund or credit full stop
if they disagree take it to the NCA or small claims court

Stop spreading false and inaccurate information.

Your rights as a consumer are primarily covered under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, which deals only if a product was mis-sold to you or faulty. If there is nothing wrong with the product other than you have changed your mind (in this case, the OP bought it and decided they no longer wished to give it as a gift), then you are not covered whatsoever by this act.

Anything which a store does give you is entirely a goodwill gesture on their part but they are perfectly entitled to refuse to do anything for you.

partyatmygaff

jimmynokia wrote: »

you did not change your mind

He did as a matter of fact. He bought a gift and it was returned to him. Not the shop's fault.

you have a right for refund or credit full stop
if they disagree take it to the NCA or small claims court

Please don't. It's bad enough giving people bad information but telling them to waste their time and money in the small claims court over a case they have no chance of winning is not on.

theteal

jimmynokia wrote: »

i dont need it pal you have 28 days full stop
and lets just say i work in the business (thats my link):D

so your company has a 28 day (change of mind/unopened box) policy, good for them. . . it isn't law though, i'm afraid

tophurler

going by that link I think a visit to the Small Claims court would leave me looking stupid! I bought the phone as a present for someone, who also got a phone so I did change my mind

partyatmygaff

Jackobyte wrote: »

I don't know whether you have any right to a refund (link to NCA website seems to say you don't) but you could always try another meteor store. When I had a problem with my phone, I brought it back to my local store even though I bought elsewhere due to no stock locally and there wasn't any problem. You may come across a more accommodating manager in another store.

This is good advice. So long as you aren't acting aggressively or ranting on about non-existent "rights" you may have luck with another store.

Kensington

tophurler wrote: »

going by that link I think a visit to the Small Claims court would leave me looking stupid! I bought the phone as a present for someone, who also got a phone so I did change my mind

You could try flogging the phone on adverts.ie if meteor refuse to budge. How much you'll get though is another question, particularly as the phone is in all likelihood locked to meteor.

Kinetic^

Not entitled to refund, exchange or credit. Change of mind is not covered under the sale of goods act. If the store/company don't have a "change of mind" option then you're out of luck.

cyning

partyatmygaff wrote: »

This is good advice. So long as you aren't acting aggressively or ranting on about non-existent "rights" you may have luck with another store.

And from someone who does work in a phone shop: mostly they are taken back when they are unopened: it can depend on the mood of the person you are talking to too though. I'd say try again, and do try to speak to someone else...

Jackobyte

Jackobyte wrote: »

I don't know whether you have any right to a refund (link to NCA website seems to say you don't) but you could always try another meteor store. When I had a problem with my phone, I brought it back to my local store even though I bought elsewhere due to no stock locally and there wasn't any problem. You may come across a more accommodating manager in another store.

One other thing, don't say you have tried to return it to another store. They mightn't be too happy to realise that you only came to their shop to take advantage of their good will.

Nonoperational

It's actually pretty bad form they wouldn't give you at least a credit note if it was unopened.

tophurler

I know, I was slightly annoyed as I got into the car and drove to the shop based on the person's information from the phone call! I suppose I learned a lesson, always ask to speak to the organ grinder

Pacifico

jimmynokia wrote: »

i dont need it pal you have 28 days full stop
and lets just say i work in the business (thats my link):D

Maybe it's time you consider a different business :P

jimmynokia

ok answer this i bought several items as gifts early December some where duplicated ie somebody bet me to it with same gift i brought them back to point of purchase not one bit of hassle refunded on my 3 items respectivly. Once you have a receipt and tell store its a gift and its unopened every store should have a clear policy in view all items can be exchanged within 28 working days once unopened and proof of purchase .nothing to do with change of mind,in any case meteor can be a shower of fcuks at the best of times.

cyning

jimmynokia wrote: »

ok answer this i bought several items as gifts early December some where duplicated ie somebody bet me to it with same gift i brought them back to point of purchase not one bit of hassle refunded on my 3 items respectivly. Once you have a receipt and tell store its a gift and its unopened every store should have a clear policy in view all items can be exchanged within 28 working days once unopened and proof of purchase .

It's good customer service but it's not law

nothing to do with change of mind,

It IS change of mind. There is nothing wrong with the phone.

partyatmygaff

jimmynokia wrote: »

ok answer this i bought several items as gifts early December some where duplicated ie somebody bet me to it with same gift i brought them back to point of purchase not one bit of hassle refunded on my 3 items respectivly.

That was nice of them. Doesn't mean they're obliged to though.

Once you have a receipt and tell store its a gift and its unopened every store should have a clear policy in view all items can be exchanged within 28 working days once unopened and proof of purchase .

The problem with that is that everyone will say "Ah, it was an unwanted gift". Shops can't absorb the costs of people buying things and returning them simply because they no longer want it. Even those that do offer a change of mind policy often add "At manager's discretion" to allow themselves the ability to refuse. There simply is no law or right that permits people "28 working days" (Almost two calendar months...) of time in which they can return an item.

nothing to do with change of mind

It has everything to do with change of mind. The shop sold the consumer a functioning and perfectly adequate product. If the customers wants to return a faultless product then it's as good as selling the item back to the shop in which case they have every right to refuse.

Corruptedmorals

The difference is that it's a phone, not a pair of shoes. All department stores and most high street shops will offer you a goodwill refund for 28 days, the exceptions being one-off shops, boutiques..and Office. Electrical goods and phones are much harder to return and tend to stick to actual consumer law, wouldn't blame them either.

TheIrishGrover

I suspect masternokia is trolling. Nobody "In the biz" would be this unaware. The store would go under straight after Christmas

partyatmygaff

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

I suspect masternokia is trolling. Nobody "In the biz" would be this unaware. The store would go under straight after Christmas

He's not, he posted the same wrong information in the Mobiles & PDA forum once before.

Sam Vimes

jimmynokia wrote: »

ok answer this i bought several items as gifts early December some where duplicated ie somebody bet me to it with same gift i brought them back to point of purchase not one bit of hassle refunded on my 3 items respectivly. Once you have a receipt and tell store its a gift and its unopened every store should have a clear policy in view all items can be exchanged within 28 working days once unopened and proof of purchase .nothing to do with change of mind,in any case meteor can be a shower of fcuks at the best of times.

Yes Jimmy lots of shops operate this policy but it's not a legal requirement. Read this link: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/consumer_protection/consumer_rights/consumers_and_the_law_in_ireland.html

It doesn't matter in the slightest if something was given as a gift, the shop only has a contract with the person who bought the product and they have no legal requirement to do anything unless the product is faulty.

If you read that link you'll see that there are no grounds for redress if someone changes their mind but you insist that this is not a change of mind because it was a gift. If a shop doesn't have to give a refund for a change of mind but does have to for a gift, what's to stop someone who's just changed their mind claiming something was a gift........?

MyKeyG

Trying to return it to another store is a fairly good idea. In my experience shops will hesitate to offer a goodwill refund if business is slow. Another shop usually won't hesitate to offer a refund if they know they can sell the item on again easily enough. I'd try one of your bigger high street stores.

TheIrishGrover

partyatmygaff wrote: »

He's not, he posted the same wrong information in the Mobiles & PDA forum once before.

wow:eek:

dudara

jimmynokia wrote: »

ok answer this i bought several items as gifts early December some where duplicated ie somebody bet me to it with same gift i brought them back to point of purchase not one bit of hassle refunded on my 3 items respectivly.

As other posters have pointed out, this was due to the returns/refund policy operated by the retailer. It has no basis in Consumer Law (or any other form of law).

jimmynokia wrote:

Once you have a receipt and tell store its a gift and its unopened every store should have a clear policy in view all items can be exchanged within 28 working days once unopened and proof of purchase

That would be in an ideal world. However, shops cannot subsidise present giving and it would be unreasonable to expect every shop to take back purchases.

jimmynokia wrote:

nothing to do with change of mind

Technically, it is change of mind.

jimmynokia

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

I suspect masternokia is trolling. Nobody "In the biz" would be this unaware. The store would go under straight after Christmas

no such thing pal

Zab

I like the way you can ignore people by clicking their name on this version of vbulletin.

jimmynokia

does only work for pms?

dudara

Please stick to the topic at hand

dudara

jimmynokia

explain ? I was asking a simple question thats off topic in relation to above post

dudara

@jimmynokia - If you want assistance on how Boards functions, then please use the Helpdesk forum. Please stick to the topic on this thread

dudara

dlofnep

I'd say pop the phone up on adverts.ie if you need to clear it.

Lots of mis-information in here.

When did you buy the phone, OP?

Meteor allow 14 days for you to return your phone, even if you did just change your mind.


From Meteor.ie;

Returns information:

If you change your mind about your purchase (we all do it!), you have 14 days to return it to us for a full refund. If you find that your phone is faulty you have 28 days to return it for a refund or exchange.

If you need to return your order simply follow the instructions below.

Phones bought in retail stores:

Simply bring your phone back in to one of our stores and we will process the return for you.

Phones bought in our online store:

1. Fill in our online store returns form
2. Choose whether you would like to return or replace your purchase.
3. We will send a postage paid addressed envelope to your address.
4. Return your order in it’s original packaging along with your delivery docket.

If you’re returning your order due to a fault withing 28 days, you can indicate whether you require a refund or a replacement. We are unable to offer refunds or exchanges on phones that have been physically damaged.
Christmas Orders:

Phones received as gifts on Christmas day and activated on that day can be returned up to 28 days after Christmas day.

Repairs Information

For all you need to need to know about phone repairs visit our Repairs page

http://www.meteor.ie/support/welcome/repairs_returns/

jahalpin

As KKV mentioned above, Meteor offer a 14-day "change of mind" return. This woulld form part of your contract of purchase and would be in addition to your statutory rights.

As this is part of your contract with Meteor, the store manager would have no option but to refund you if you changed your mind within the 14-day period. By refusing to honour the contract the manager has exceeded their authority and may be subject to disiplinary action by their employer, Meteor (Eircom).

The OP should make a formal compaint regarding the managers conduct to Meteor Head Office.

91011

jimmynokia wrote: »

i dont need it pal you have 28 days full stop
and lets just say i work in the business (thats my link):D

if you can show me where in any form of consumer law in ireland this is stated I will give you €1000 in cash. - actually I'll make it €10,000.



btw -to save you looking, my money is safe, as there is no such rule / law in any statute book in this country.

the groutch

I can understand phone companies being very cautious about refunds, wanting it unopened and with receipt.
when it comes to phones, especially at the higher end of the price ladder, there is a high risk of people trying to get refunds for either stolen phones, or phones which have either fully or partially (components inside the phone) been replaced with chinese knock-offs.
that would be why they would be reluctant to make any promises over the phone, and would want to satisfy themselves that they're not being duped, before giving a cash refund.

tophurler

I managed to sell the phone on adverts, but should I still make a formal complaint to the Meteor Head Office? One thing for sure I won't be having any dealings with that company in the future