Argos & faulty product!

Stewball

Hi,

I bought a TV from Argos on Monday. Connected it to my Sky box that evening and could hear a hissing noise from the speakers.

Brought the TV back on Wednesday and was told they need to check out the fault, got a call yesterday saying they couldn't find a fault with the sound, I was told to bring the TV home and record/video the 'hissing' noise and come back in to show them video.
I did that today and was told by two employees they can't hear the noise. They said they'll have the manufacturers' repair guy check it out.

They have a 30 day change of mind return policy, but I was told because I opened the box I can't avail of that. OF COURSE I opened the bloody box!!:rolleyes:

What are my options here to get my money back?
Chargeback?

Garibaldi?

I bought a small Lenovo laptop in Argos a couple of years ago. The screen just showed all coloured lines when I took it home. They refunded the money to my credit card immediately. Another time I bought a self-assembly shopping cart and a wheel was missing! I was asked a lot of questions. It was as if they thought I had lost the wheel myself.One guy suggested that I should have a thorough look at home. The item was only €50 but I was given the third degree. I explained that I had gone straight to my car and home with the product, a present for a friend. I had unwrapped it immediately, to find three wheels! I think it depends on who you are dealing with. They refunded the cost, but a bit reluctantly. I would insist on a refund.

Darc19

They have to check and see/hear the fault themselves.

Is there anything that could be causing interference?

Have you checked if it's the sky box that is at fault? Some SkyQ boxes have issues with some TVs.


Edit - just found this
https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/Loud-static-noise-after-changing-channels/td-p/3489134

FobleAsNuck

Ask for replacement. If the fault is spotted within first 6 months of use it is assumed it was there from the moment it was bought (EU regulations).

Don't buy into this "employees think there's nothing wrong" BS - if you still have the TV try a different shop (if within range). Talk to manager and not to till people.

Darc19

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Ask for replacement. If the fault is spotted within first 6 months of use it is assumed it was there from the moment it was bought (EU regulations).

Don't buy into this "employees think there's nothing wrong" BS - if you still have the TV try a different shop (if within range). Talk to manager and not to till people.

You still have to be able to show the fault and as above, the skyQ box is known to cause similar issue.

Not Argos problem if a third party instrument is the cause of the issue

antix80

Op, does the same hissing noise happen with other HD devices?

Stewball

antix80 wrote: »

Op, does the same hissing noise happen with other HD devices?

I plugged the SkyHD box into another TV and there is no issue. Even made a video of that to show them but they didn't care - because it was a newer OLED TV.
Which makes no sense!

If I take the TV to another store and try and return under the change of mind 30 day policy. Will they have a record of me trying to return it in the original store?

Reading their return policy - I can't see why they have an issue taking it back.
ReturnsAndRefunds

If they don't believe me when I say it's faulty - then why not accept it under the 30 day change of mind policy??
I know that policy says 'unused' but all I did was take it out of the box, plug it in, heard the fault, and returned it the next day.
Since I've bought the bloody thing they've had it in their possession longer than I have!!

ForestFire

I think the video needs to be posted here so we can all analyse, before giving our expert opinions ;-)

Darc19

Stewball wrote: »

I plugged the SkyHD box into another TV and there is no issue. Even made a video of that to show them but they didn't care - because it was a newer OLED TV.
Which makes no sense!

The skyq box has issues with some oled tv's. Check the sky forums and see if others have an issue with your model.

If you have netflix, see if the issue happens with netflix or other direct app.

If it doesn't, then the issue with with the sky box.

If the issue does happen with other apps when not connected via sky q, then its the tv.


But I suspect it's the sky box where the issue is

Stewball

Darc19 wrote: »

The skyq box has issues with some oled tv's. Check the sky forums and see if others have an issue with your model.

If you have netflix, see if the issue happens with netflix or other direct app.

If it doesn't, then the issue with with the sky box.

If the issue does happen with other apps when not connected via sky q, then its the tv.


But I suspect it's the sky box where the issue is

I don't have SkyQ. I'm still using the old SkyHD box.

The faulty TV isn't OLED, but my other TV which I also tested with the same Sky box/cable is - there was no 'hissing' to be heard.

I'll try to post the video later.

Stewball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9EyVwfDcW4

It's difficult enough to hear it when there is dialogue etc from a tv show, but when it goes silent you can hear.

I pause the program so you can hear it and when I mute the speakers it goes.

Samuel T. Cogley

Sorry but that's a definite fault. The problem is is it with the Sky Box or the TV. Have you got something else you can try like a playstation? Only other thing I can think of and it's a longshot is trying a different wall socket.

antix80

Stewball wrote: »

I plugged the SkyHD box into another TV and there is no issue.

That doesn't answer the question... does the same hissing noise happen with other HD devices?

Stewball

antix80 wrote: »

That doesn't answer the question... does the same hissing noise happen with other HD devices?

I haven't tried any other HD device. Why would it only happen on one TV and not the other, if it was a problem with the Sky box?
The Argos employee said he put a Firestick into the TV and there was no issue.

antix80

Stewball wrote: »

I haven't tried any other HD device. Why would it only happen on one TV and not the other, if it was a problem with the Sky box?
The Argos employee said he put a Firestick into the TV and there was no issue.

Could be an issue with the sky box.

You'll need to rule that out first.

Stewball

antix80 wrote: »

Could be an issue with the sky box.

You'll need to rule that out first.

Have I not already ruled out the problem being with Sky box by testing it on another TV and no 'hissing' is being detected?

Jim_Hodge

Stewball wrote: »

Have I not already ruled out the problem being with Sky box by testing it on another TV and no 'hissing' is being detected?

Would you not just connect some other device to the Tv, even an old DVD player, and see what the sound is like?

Darc19

Stewball wrote: »

Have I not already ruled out the problem being with Sky box by testing it on another TV and no 'hissing' is being detected?

No, because it's a different TV. The sky box has issues with some oled TVs. Some conflict in software.

Stewball

Jim_Hodge wrote: »

Would you not just connect some other device to the Tv, even an old DVD player, and see what the sound is like?

I would if I still had the TV. Argos still have possession of it since Friday.

Stewball

Darc19 wrote: »

No, because it's a different TV. The sky box has issues with some oled TVs. Some conflict in software.

The TV with the fault isn't OLED.
My other TV which I also tested the Sky box on is an OLED TV and there is no issue with the speakers.

Gooser14

Have to checked whether the noise is there with the TV connected to a terestral aerial only? If the noise is still there when connected to the terestral aerial only then it's the TV that is the problem.

Stewball

Gooser14 wrote: »

Have to checked whether the noise is there with the TV connected to a terestral aerial only? If the noise is still there when connected to the terestral aerial only then it's the TV that is the problem.

I tested the TV via the RF outlet from the back of the Sky box too and the noise was still there.

Longterm this is how the TV would likely be used as it's for a bedroom.

Jim_Hodge

Stewball wrote: »

I tested the TV via the RF outlet from the back of the Sky box too and the noise was still there.

Longterm this is how the TV would likely be used as it's for a bedroom.

Still through the sky box. It needs a straight test beyond Sky.

Gooser14

Jim_Hodge wrote:

Still through the sky box. It needs a straight test beyond Sky.

Would agree with that. Unplug the cable from the RF input on the Sky box & plug in to the RF input on the TV.

antix80

Stewball wrote: »

I tested the TV via the RF outlet from the back of the Sky box too and the noise was still there.

Testing is when you change one of the variables.

Stewball

antix80 wrote: »

Testing is when you change one of the variables.

Like when I plugged the Sky box into a different TV?

Stewball

Jim_Hodge wrote: »

Still through the sky box. It needs a straight test beyond Sky.

I only use Sky though.
If the TV can't handle a Sky box which is working perfectly with other TVs then the new TV is useless to me.

thereitisgone

What if like previous posters have said if with a updated different sky box the tv would work
Just plug it into the wall and test, its a known problem

whippet

Stewball wrote: »

I only use Sky though.
If the TV can't handle a Sky box which is working perfectly with other TVs then the new TV is useless to me.

It might be useless to you alright but does not mean the TV is faulty.

It’s sounds like your input is the problem. Why not talk to sky and see about getting a new box or an upgrade ?

FobleAsNuck

Ok, I can clearly see some people are almost offended when using the word "faulty".

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/repairs_replacements_and_refunds.html#l3eee1


OP, take it back as "not fit for purpose", end of story.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

FobleAsNuck

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Ok, I can clearly see some people are almost offended when using the word "faulty".

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/repairs_replacements_and_refunds.html#l3eee1


OP, take it back as "not fit for purpose", end of story.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

You don’t think the op should check that it isn’t an issue with the device connected to the tv? Seems the op’s check has been limited to connecting the sky box to another tv rather than connecting another av source to the “faulty tv”.

Jim_Hodge

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Ok, I can clearly see some people are almost offended when using the word "faulty".

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/repairs_replacements_and_refunds.html#l3eee1


OP, take it back as "not fit for purpose", end of story.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

That's fine if the fault is with the TV. That has yet to be proven.

Darc19

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Ok, I can clearly see some people are almost offended when using the word "faulty".

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/repairs_replacements_and_refunds.html#l3eee1


OP, take it back as "not fit for purpose", end of story.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

It's this type of ridiculous advice that causes major problems.

You must be able to demonstrate the fault.

The op has not been able to do that as the be TV seems to work when tested by the store.

There is a near identical issue in certain skyQ boxes that conflict with some TVs (not just oled it seems), so it is an likely that it is the sky box that is faulty.

The TV is not sold "subject to working with a skyQ box"

A software update on the sky box or replacement to the newer model that does not have this issue is probably needed.

FobleAsNuck

Yeahm - No, you don't need to "demonstrate" anything, as the above says the seller needs to prove otherwise. And I find your argument about assumption the tv is working with Sky riddiculous...

FobleAsNuck

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Yeahm - No, you don't need to "demonstrate" anything, as the above says the seller needs to prove otherwise. And I find your argument about assumption the tv is working with Sky riddiculous...

I suspect at the very least you should be able to show that there is a fault where you claim one exists, wouldn’t you think?

FobleAsNuck

No, I wouldn't, as per my earlier quote from Citizen Information.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

So, to answer your question, no, all you need to do is to say it's not fit for purpose, no "proving" anything.

As for the expectation that the tv would work with Sky:

Sale of goods and supply of Services Act 1980

When you buy products, they must be ‘in conformity with the contract’. This means they must be:
[...]
Fit for the purpose you bought it for – they should work and do what they are reasonably expected to do
[...]

I'll leave it here, unless you can back up your gut feeling with anything. Consumer protection rules have consumer at heart, "This means you don't have to prove anything" is a reflection on that. And before you ask why isn't everybody returning stuff under this pretense - it's up to the seller to make up for this, which may include either fixing the issue, replacing it, refund or a discount due to the fault.

fritzelly

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

No, I wouldn't, as per my earlier quote from Citizen Information.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

So, to answer your question, no, all you need to do is to say it's not fit for purpose, no "proving" anything.

As for the expectation that the tv would work with Sky:


I'll leave it here, I can see that some people like arguing for fun. Consumer protection rules have consumer at heart, "This means you don't have to prove anything" is a reflection on that.

That's some bastardization of the law - it does not extend to miraculously fixing externally connected faulty devices

If there is no sound issue when the sky box is not connected it leads to one simple source of the fault

FobleAsNuck

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

No, I wouldn't, as per my earlier quote from Citizen Information.

This means you do not have to prove anything.

So, to answer your question, no, all you need to do is to say it's not fit for purpose, no "proving" anything.

As for the expectation that the tv would work with Sky:



I'll leave it here, unless you can back up your gut feeling with anything. Consumer protection rules have consumer at heart, "This means you don't have to prove anything" is a reflection on that. And before you ask why isn't everybody returning stuff under this pretense - it's up to the seller to make up for this, which may include either fixing the issue, replacing it, refund or a discount due to the fault.

Which part of consumer legislation applies if there isn’t actually a fault with the item? Please link to that.

cruizer101

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

This means you do not have to prove anything.

If you look at the next part of table


The "proof" that they are talking about is when the fault appeared not whether or not it has a fault.
If that was the case anyone could return anything within 6 months and just say it doesn't work, thats nonsense.

Jim_Hodge

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Yeahm - No, you don't need to "demonstrate" anything, as the above says the seller needs to prove otherwise. And I find your argument about assumption the tv is working with Sky riddiculous...

You do need to demonstrate a fault. You can't just go back with an appliance up to six months after purchase and demand a refund because you say it's faulty. The shop checked and see no fault. The OP didn't check if the fault is solely in the TV.
What you do not need to prove is that the fault existed at purchase. This assumes a fault. You're misinterpreting to to say you don't need to prove a fault exists at all. You're way off.

whippet

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

Yeahm - No, you don't need to "demonstrate" anything, as the above says the seller needs to prove otherwise. And I find your argument about assumption the tv is working with Sky riddiculous...

the seller has tested it on another input and has satisfied themselves that there is no fault with the TV.

Stewball

So got a call from Argos on Tuesday telling me that the manufacturer wouldn't accept the video I made and they wanted to troubleshoot with me over the phone.
I picked up the TV again from Argos and went through the whole troubleshoot nonsense over the phone with one of the manufacturers agents. None of it worked and they told me to make another video of the fault and send it to them - I did that on Thursday and have yet to hear back from them.

On Friday I was fed up with the whole process, so I packed up the TV, sealed the box and drove to another Argos store.
I returned the TV under their 30 day returns policy and didn't mention anything about the fault and the hassle I had at the other store.

Refund was processed there and then and my money was back in my account today. Happy days!!

antix80

Stewball wrote: »

.
I returned the TV under their 30 day returns policy and didn't mention anything about the fault and the hassle I had at the other store.

I guess we'll never know whether the tv was faulty.

Also argos 30 days returns is for unopened and unused items.

Guy:Incognito

antix80 wrote: »

.

Also argos 30 days returns is for unopened and unused items.

Exactly. So now someone else is going to pay full whack for someone's 2nd hand TV and be told it was a new one and not believed when they bring it back and say it was already opened.

But sure who gives a **** about other people, isn't that the done thing nowadays..............

Flinty997

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Exactly. So now someone else is going to pay full whack for someone's 2nd hand TV and be told it was a new one and not believed when they bring it back and say it was already opened.

But sure who gives a **** about other people, isn't that the done thing nowadays..............

I don't think argos is as good for returns as it used to be.

Easier to use Amazon these days.

FobleAsNuck

Stewball wrote: »

So got a call from Argos on Tuesday telling me that the manufacturer wouldn't accept the video I made and they wanted to troubleshoot with me over the phone.
I picked up the TV again from Argos and went through the whole troubleshoot nonsense over the phone with one of the manufacturers agents. None of it worked and they told me to make another video of the fault and send it to them - I did that on Thursday and have yet to hear back from them.

On Friday I was fed up with the whole process, so I packed up the TV, sealed the box and drove to another Argos store.
I returned the TV under their 30 day returns policy and didn't mention anything about the fault and the hassle I had at the other store.

Refund was processed there and then and my money was back in my account today. Happy days!!

told ya

Stewball

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Exactly. So now someone else is going to pay full whack for someone's 2nd hand TV and be told it was a new one and not believed when they bring it back and say it was already opened.

But sure who gives a **** about other people, isn't that the done thing nowadays..............

Do you expect me to take a €500+ hit on a faulty TV?
I told Argos the TV was faulty, I even provided them with video proof and they refused to accept it.
What happens next is on them!

Stewball

antix80 wrote: »

I guess we'll never know whether the tv was faulty.

Also argos 30 days returns is for unopened and unused items.

Wrong. The return policy on the website says nothing about items being 'unopened'.

The sales assistant actually opened the packaging in front of me to see if the remote, manual etc were still in the box.

runawaybishop

Stewball wrote: »

Wrong. The return policy on the website says nothing about items being 'unopened'.

The sales assistant actually opened the packaging in front of me to see if the remote, manual etc were still in the box.

The item should be unused, in its original packaging and in a re-sellable condition.

You used the item and opened it, so it was no longer in the original, sealed packaging.

You pulled a fast one, don't pretend otherwise.

Treppen

runawaybishop wrote: »

The item should be unused, in its original packaging and in a re-sellable condition.

You used the item and opened it, so it was no longer in the original, sealed packaging.

You pulled a fast one, don't pretend otherwise.

That's a bit illogical, how can any product demonstrate a fault if it's still unused and in its original packaging!

Treppen

Treppen wrote: »

That's a bit illogical, how can any product demonstrate a fault if it's still unused and in its original packaging!

Exactly, it is still open to debate whether the op actually demonstrated there was a fault with TV when using an RF connection from an old sky box.

But as the op is now discussing their returns policy, it appears he/she is a bit fuzzy on that as well.

https://www.argos.ie/static/ArgosPromo3/includeName/ReturnsAndRefunds.htm?desktopSiteActive=true