Advice on my rights? Consumer protection
Discussion
Hi all. Does anyone know where I stand, but I bought an expensive pond pump 9 months ago and the thing has broken already. I've took it apart and established the impeller has broken. I could buy another impeller for about £40, but I thought I'd try a warranty claim.
I've emailed the customer care who have replied saying that the impeller is a consumable item and therefore not covered.
My understanding is that the whole thing must be fit for purpose, and looking at some forums, these impellers are always breaking, making me think that there's a design fault? Doubt I could prove that though. So have I had it, or should I persist with their customer care emails?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I've emailed the customer care who have replied saying that the impeller is a consumable item and therefore not covered.
My understanding is that the whole thing must be fit for purpose, and looking at some forums, these impellers are always breaking, making me think that there's a design fault? Doubt I could prove that though. So have I had it, or should I persist with their customer care emails?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
First off, unless it's designed to be user-servicable (which implies there's consumables inside, which would support their claim), you waved goodbye to any warranty when you took it apart.
If the impeller breaks frequently, that implies some kind of foreign object damage - is there a filter on the inlet? Should there be? Might it be wise to have one?
If the impeller breaks frequently, that implies some kind of foreign object damage - is there a filter on the inlet? Should there be? Might it be wise to have one?
TooMany2cvs said:
First off, unless it's designed to be user-servicable (which implies there's consumables inside, which would support their claim), you waved goodbye to any warranty when you took it apart.
If the impeller breaks frequently, that implies some kind of foreign object damage - is there a filter on the inlet? Should there be? Might it be wise to have one?
It screws apart to get to the impeller so I haven't broken any seals or anything (I'm talking screws with your hand, not a screwdriver). There is a filter on the inlet.If the impeller breaks frequently, that implies some kind of foreign object damage - is there a filter on the inlet? Should there be? Might it be wise to have one?
I'd suggest you try the shop first and look for some goodwill from them.
You might have some legal recourse from the manufacturers but if they don't want to play nice you'll need to go to court to enforce it.
You could try and return the entire pump to the store saying it's not fit for purpose. Many stores have a 6 months return policy.
If the impeller is a consumable you'd expect shops to stock them and for the pump to perhaps come with a spare and instructions on changing it.
Pump impellers do break.
But 4 months is a very short time.
My pond pumps been running for years without a problem - except for the occasional blockage.
The problem you might have is whether you've allowed objects to damage the impeller yourself due to a poor filter.
I used to have problems with my old pump until I bough a 'dirty water' pump which is designed to work without a fine filter.
You might have some legal recourse from the manufacturers but if they don't want to play nice you'll need to go to court to enforce it.
You could try and return the entire pump to the store saying it's not fit for purpose. Many stores have a 6 months return policy.
If the impeller is a consumable you'd expect shops to stock them and for the pump to perhaps come with a spare and instructions on changing it.
Pump impellers do break.
But 4 months is a very short time.
My pond pumps been running for years without a problem - except for the occasional blockage.
The problem you might have is whether you've allowed objects to damage the impeller yourself due to a poor filter.
I used to have problems with my old pump until I bough a 'dirty water' pump which is designed to work without a fine filter.
Serviceable item is not an automatic get-out clause. A clutch/brake pads on a car fall into that category If either went belly-up in 4 months (assuming normal wear and tear, not abuse) refusing to repair or replace could be challenged. Why should a pond pump be any different?
The above assumes the product is new, not s/h. If it had broken within 6 months of purchase the onus would have fallen on the seller.
http://whatconsumer.co.uk/how-long-should-it-last/...
The above assumes the product is new, not s/h. If it had broken within 6 months of purchase the onus would have fallen on the seller.
http://whatconsumer.co.uk/how-long-should-it-last/...
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