New item bought from ebay - any warranty?

[RockyBalboa]

I bought some wall mountable post boxes on eBay last June. They have now rusted.

Seller states that as it is beyond 30 days they cannot do anything but surely they should at least last a year? Do I have any rights?

I've contacted the seller who states that:

We are very sorry to hear that the Post Boxes purchased in June have occurred recent damage to them.

The product is now outside of the 30 days from purchase returns period.

Unfortunately, this product is not covered by any manufacturers’ warranty and therefore we are unable to assist you with any issues with the product which are reported outside of 30 days from purchase.

Please accept our apologies for any inconveniences caused.

[esxste]

Can you not just sand/brush off the rust and repaint?

Presumably the function of the product is not impaired, just the aesthetic?

[TooMany2cvs]

RockyBalboa said:

I bought some wall mountable post boxes on eBay last June. They have now rusted.

Seller states that as it is beyond 30 days they cannot do anything but surely they should at least last a year? Do I have any rights?

Consumer Rights Act.

Since it's past six months, if you can prove the fault was present at the point of purchase, then you can claim a refund, less a reasonable allowance for use so far.

How much were they? Is it worth it, or just chalk it up to experience?

If there's multiples, are they all for personal domestic use, or are they being used in conjunction with business activity (letting?)? If for business, CRA doesn't apply.

[kiethton]

How did you pay, the credit card company/paypal are usually very amenable to claims by the buyer, typically at the vendors expense....

[RockyBalboa]

I bought 4 and put them up a few months ago in anticipation of letting 4 flats - not let yet so not used except for the occasional junk mail leaflet.

They do not look as if they can be easily cleaned of the rust without remedial work to make them look original (paint).

I paid for them via PayPal (via credit card).

[SLCZ3]

Did the advert on e-bay state they were rustproofed, made of stainless steel, zinc plated, painted etc, guaranteed to be non rusting for a x number of months/years/decades.

[redddraggon]

Maybe it's because I'm a metallurgist, but I expect steel to rust if left outside for months. Presumably you bought off ebay because it was cheap, and the paint wasn't anything special and so let water get to the metal.

[voyds9]

And where is the sellers based

John Smith from Blackpool it might be worth pursuing.

If Mr Xi from China may not be worth time and effort to chase.

I am not commenting on any legal aspects just the time and effort required.

[Burwood]

Not trolling. Haven’t you got a better use of your time? You purchased them for 4 rental flats. Time to get a grip

[Shiv_P]

You can submit a paypal claim up to 180 days after purchase.

[Alucidnation]

I think taking them to court is the best way forward if they won't play ball.

Don't forget to hit them for compensayshun as well.

[anonymous-user]

Shiv_P said:

You can submit a paypal claim up to 180 days after purchase.

Don't abuse this facility. You bought cheap stuff from eBay. Cheap stuff from eBay is normally cheap for a good reason.

Selling on eBay is bad enough without the PayPal reversal brigade.

Fyi eBay is quick to refund buyers for any kind of claim now with their 14day money back guarantee, but, equally, if pushed, they will let the seller keep the money, and the returned goods, as long as you can show you sent it in good order.

[The Rookie]

That’s not the point, they should be of acceptable quality and if they are being used as intended I certainly don’t think that sounds like they are. The moral is if you sell stuff your liable for how it performs, if it’s cheap tat, don’t sell it!

[TooMany2cvs]

Shiv_P said:

You can submit a paypal claim up to 180 days after purchase.

He's outside that period.

[E36GUY]

The Rookie said:

That’s not the point, they should be of acceptable quality and if they are being used as intended I certainly don’t think that sounds like they are. The moral is if you sell stuff your liable for how it performs, if it’s cheap tat, don’t sell it!

Were they sold as specifically suited to outdoor installation? Plenty of flats have their post boxes inside in which case what you have, probably mild steel thinly painted, would be fine but not outdoors.

[Shiv_P]

Ah sorry, missed the last June part. Was a warranty advertised?

[RockyBalboa]

Here's the advert:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steel-Post-Box-Postbox-...

They are advertised as:

• Galvanized steel
• Made from a quality pressed steel with a slick powder coating, this wall mounted post box is sturdy and durable'
• Great Customer Service
• UK based stock

[QuartzDad]

Price of two Big Macs, I'd probably expect them to last as long.

[anonymous-user]

QuartzDad said:

Price of two Big Macs, I'd probably expect them to last as long.

Exactly, and that's what consumer protection law works with - you have expectations of quality based on price. i.e. You expect a £1000 TV to last longer than a £100 TV, and you can also expect a £5000 TV to last longer than its 12 month statutory warranty (and the law will back you up on this).

OP - With your cheapo letter boxes you are left with one choice. Take Homediscountltd to court - for a few £12 postboxes - you aren't going to though, because it is not worth the time and money.

Ebay sellers sell loads of tat - including loads of Chinese sellers - no one is going to take any of them to court. We all know we are buying cheapo stuff and accept the risk. It's ebay - not Amazon.

[Wacky Racer]

Seriously, just spend a tenner on a tin of black hammerite "hammered" enamel and paint them...fifteen minutes work.

No more rust and they will look smart.

(Other colours are available)