Your statutory rights are not affected

[UKbob]

What exactly does that mean, when printed on a chocolate wrapper or similar?

[nervous]

it means 'your fat enough as it is, back away from the cakes wideload'. wise words indeed, tubby.

[speedy_thrills]

UKbob said:

What exactly does that mean, when printed on a chocolate wrapper or similar?

Speaking of hilarious notes on cans I found one on a can of Wattie’s Tomato and Bacon soup today that said “Cooking guidelines: Empty contents into a saucepan. Stir in one can of water* and heat gently to a simmer, stirring constantly.

* - A powerful source of antioxidant that acts as an internal bodyguard”

I was left wondering:

1. Where to get a saucepan that would fit into a can and why it should be done this way?

2. How water was going to act as an internal bodyguard?

3. Should the water simmer or the contents of the saucepan within the water?

[Balmoral Green]

Here's another example, from the motor trade.

If you go into a car dealership and ask if they have any part exchange bangers around the back to clear, and they offer to sell you one on a 'trade sale, sold as seen' basis. Your statutory rights are not affected, you have the same rights as if you bought the car at retail. So if you buy a banger for fifty quid, and the engine blows up, they will have to fix it or refund you. The really funny thing is, a lot of car dealers will write on the paperwork 'trade sale, sold as seen, no warranty or guarantee' or words to that effect. They are committing an offence in doing so, because your statutory rights cannot be taken away, yet they are writing a disclaimer into the contract asking you to waive what cannot be waived.

IIRC Statutory rights on a used car sale from a dealer are three months on everything parts & labour etc, six months on parts. And that is regardless of wether any other warranty is sold or offered with it. Another favourite is if an item fails that is not covered expressly under a proper warranty that may have been included, and the dealer says 'NO' it's not covered, it says here in the booklet. Your statutory rights are not affected so they should still sort it under those.



>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Wednesday 27th April 08:56

[simpo two]

speedy_thrills said:

Speaking of hilarious notes on cans I found one on a can of Wattie’s Tomato and Bacon soup today that said “Cooking guidelines: Empty contents into a saucepan. Stir in one can of water* and heat gently to a simmer, stirring constantly. * - A powerful source of antioxidant that acts as an internal bodyguard” I was left wondering: 1. Where to get a saucepan that would fit into a can and why it should be done this way? 2. How water was going to act as an internal bodyguard? 3. Should the water simmer or the contents of the saucepan within the water?

I used to get involved with writing instructions for garden chemicals and it's amazing how easily things can be misinterpreted. Our rule was to think of the thickest person we knew, then multiply by ten.

However, I would take strong issue with water as 'A powerful source of antioxidant that acts as an internal bodyguard'. What happens if you put iron into water? It oxidises!

Antioxidants, eg tocopherol or Vitamin E, work by absorbing free radicals - in this case atomic oxygen O- - which can react with things in your cells you don't want messed up. So what the marketing tts mean by their ridiculous statement, I have no idea. I'd send it to Trading Standards as misleading/wrong.

As for daft instructions, how about:

'Open can and stand in boiling water'

'Pour a small quantity of shampoo into the palm of each hand'

[trinitycall]

Good question. The answer is pretty simple:-

Any document supplied to a consumer in the course of a sale which contains any statement as to the rights and obligations of the consumer must contain a clear and conspicuous statement to the effect that the first-mentioned statement does not or will not affect the statutory rights of the consumer.

Any budding legal eagles can have a peak at the Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order 1976, SI 1976/1813 art 4

Regards,

N

[UKbob]

Interesting, thanks for the replies guys

[steviebee]

simpo two said:

Our rule was to think of the thickest person we knew, then multiply by ten. '

You've no doubt heard about Winnebago who were fined and required to re-word their owners manual an account of the chap who set his Automatic Cruise Control, the got out of the drivers seat (whilst travelling at 50mph) to make himeself some tea!

[DanL]

Balmoral Green said:

Here's another example, from the motor trade. If you go into a car dealership and ask if they have any part exchange bangers around the back to clear, and they offer to sell you one on a 'trade sale, sold as seen' basis. Your statutory rights are not affected, you have the same rights as if you bought the car at retail. So if you buy a banger for fifty quid, and the engine blows up, they will have to fix it or refund you. The really funny thing is, a lot of car dealers will write on the paperwork 'trade sale, sold as seen, no warranty or guarantee' or words to that effect. They are committing an offence in doing so, because your statutory rights cannot be taken away, yet they are writing a disclaimer into the contract asking you to waive what cannot be waived.

Interesting - how does this square with the "Millennium bug price" on 911 Virgin, I wonder (wording here). I've often thought that their quoted case of the engine going bang can't be right...

Dan

[Witchfinder]

speedy_thrills said:

I was left wondering: ... 2. How water was going to act as an internal bodyguard?

Worse still, why would I need an "internal bodyguard"? Are there internal assassins which I have inadvertantly swallowed without knowing about it?