Advice on my rights? Consumer protection

[audi321]

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.

[audi321]

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.

[audi321]

No, there would be no reason to service any part of the pump really.

[audi321]

Fair enough then, I'll buy a new impeller, thought I would ask on here first.

Garden centre I bought it from has closed down, so no recourse there.

Thanks all.