“Kevin, you have a contract with the party who actually sold the product to you, under which they are liable for up to six years in the case of damages (repair, replacement). Up to six months after purchase the retailer has to prove a product was not faulty, after six months the consumer is responsible for proving the product was not fit for purpose (ease of this dependent upon type of good etc.) Comet are acting against legislation if they refuse to take responsibility for potentially faulty goods returned to them. The trader is liable for any contract breaches unless acting as an agent for the manufacturer (which Comet is not doing). Consumer direct help with complaints but Comet is a member of RETRA so should be able to deal with the matter more efficiently. Amazing how many retailers still don't comply with the sale of goods act and illegally inform consumers they are not contractually obliged to deal with faulty items after 28 days.”

“KevinLincoln, Lincoln, if its in the first 12 months, Comet are responsible, they cannot dispute this. They can recommend that you go direct to the manufacturer, but they cannot insist on this, they have ultimate responsibility and you can insist that they take the product back and communicate with the manufacturer.”

“I work for a well known supermarket and the returns policy on electrical items is quite simple, free years gaurantee, if a problem arises within that year then its a simple replacement or refund, as long as present with receipt. Customer brings item in, complete with all associated accesories, states it is faulty, and refund is processed. simple.
Cant believe Comet and the like hang on to this poor 'policy'. THEY have your money, and THEY have been sold defective goods from the manufacturer so THEY should refund or replace the customer, and then comet (or whoever) can chase up any refund to their company from the manaufacturer. again, simple. Customer goes away happy.”

“I was told that when you buy something new and it is faulty like this from the start, your contract is with the supplier (in this case Comet)

I had a similar problem with Comet, and they didn't want to know and reckoned my dispute should be with the manufacturer.

What is the situation? Are Comet right to make the purchassers go to the manufacturer to sort it out?”

“Within the first 12 months of purchase of goods, the responsibility is on the retailer, not the manufacturer. If you have a fault, you can return it to the retailer, and it is up to them to take the issue up with the manufacturer.

However I have found it quicker in the past to contact the manufacturer myself rather than take it to the store. They will pick the product up from a location of your choice, and return it to you.

However, problems are not limited to Comet. I had a laptop a few years ago from PC World, returned it 7 times before threatening to go to the papers, trading standards, watchdog and anyone else I could think of to get them bad publicity. I shortly after received vouchers for a new laptop. On one occasion they said they had misplaced my laptop but couldn't replace it until they'd found it!! Kicked up a fuss and got vouchers a few days later.

More recently however I returned a laptop, it was picked up from me on the monday morning, phoned on the tuesday to see they had got it ok and was told it had been repaired and was on its way back to me. Next day (wednesday) I had it back. Superb service on this occasion.

Bit hit and miss really.”

“I bought a Vacuum cleaner from Comet and two days later it was in the Sale at £50 off!
I rang Comet two weeks later and they were very pleasant and refunded my credit card with £50. Now, in my books, that is very fair.
As for the Irish 'dragon lady' salesperson, I avoid her like the plague!”

“I also found that Comet were abysmal in there customer service. I purchased A laptop (toshiba) from them on December 14th for daughters Xmas Present, It was fired up on Xmas morning to a Black screen of Death. Returned it to them and they said it was Toshibas problem, and they wouldnt move on that. Never Will return through there Doors Again and I have no problem in Informing freinds and family of there poor service.”

“The T&C's are of little relevance and the warranty ultimately lies upon the manufacturer but the sale of goods act states that if a good breaks within the first 6 months the law presumes it was faulty (not satisfactory quality) when sold and the seller, not manufacturer, is legally obliged to sort out the problem. Lucy Lou, comet might tell you that but legally they are talking wet. The SOGA actually means retailers are liable for up to 6 years after the DOP.The fact that there was no reported manufacturing defect raises the question of whether the good was faulty upon purchase but the amount of time the laptop spent in repair makes it appear as if their was fault with the good. Yeh i'm sure it's just coincidence that when publicity entered the arena management offered a refund.”

“grace me old fruit bat consumer direct are just agency.. as for your comment about fraud etc what is that all about .. commet and currys will fob the customer of ITS knowing your rights if i was younger i would cause havoc to these business”

“Well done the Kellys', stand up for your rights. Why should you put up with 'shoddy' goods, that you've paid hard earned money for.
Off topic a 'tad', has anyone else noticed how clothes bought from multiples are 'shoddy' too? I bought trousers, a top and pyjamas from High Street stores, the trouser hem came unstitched after one wash, the top became 'bobbly' and a button came off after one wash, and the pyjama tops buttons wouldn't stay closed.
All items made overseas I hasten to add.”