Enforcing 2year EU guarantee on electrical goods

[StamV]

Hello all,

I read this section regularly and I was wondering if the situation I am in happens often.

I bought a grass trimmer from Argos in May 2017, and on the 23rd August this year it stopped working. I know the normal Argos guarantee is one year, however under EU law there should be a minimum of 2 year warranty on all electrical goods.

More here
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/sh...

I often travel to Italy (have relatives there) and there this guarantee is applied without any quibble.

In the UK in theory there is a 6 year guarantee period, however this is used as an excuse in order to avoid applying the strict 2 year guarantee (as by EU law).

I went to the same Argos and I was informed that they only honour the one year guarantee. The Customer Service Manager there informed me that there is no company policy that allows extending the guarantee to 2 years as required by EU law, and if a manager did that, they would be sacked.

How do you advise I should proceed?
Many thanks

[pavarotti1980]

StamV said:

Hello all,

I read this section regularly and I was wondering if the situation I am in happens often.

I bought a grass trimmer from Argos in May 2017, and on the 23rd August this year it stopped working. I know the normal Argos guarantee is one year, however under EU law there should be a minimum of 2 year warranty on all electrical goods.

More here
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/sh...

I often travel to Italy (have relatives there) and there this guarantee is applied without any quibble.

In the UK in theory there is a 6 year guarantee period, however this is used as an excuse in order to avoid applying the strict 2 year guarantee (as by EU law).

I went to the same Argos and I was informed that they only honour the one year guarantee. The Customer Service Manager there informed me that there is no company policy that allows extending the guarantee to 2 years as required by EU law, and if a manager did that, they would be sacked.

How do you advise I should proceed?
Many thanks

If all of it is 100% bang on (i dont know if it is or isnt) then company policy doesnt override legislation

[anonymous-user]

StamV said:

Hello all,

I read this section regularly and I was wondering if the situation I am in happens often.

I bought a grass trimmer from Argos in May 2017, and on the 23rd August this year it stopped working. I know the normal Argos guarantee is one year, however under EU law there should be a minimum of 2 year warranty on all electrical goods.

More here
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/sh...

I often travel to Italy (have relatives there) and there this guarantee is applied without any quibble.

In the UK in theory there is a 6 year guarantee period, however this is used as an excuse in order to avoid applying the strict 2 year guarantee (as by EU law).

I went to the same Argos and I was informed that they only honour the one year guarantee. The Customer Service Manager there informed me that there is no company policy that allows extending the guarantee to 2 years as required by EU law, and if a manager did that, they would be sacked.

How do you advise I should proceed?
Many thanks

OP's linked website said:

After 6 months, in most EU countries, you need to prove that the defect already existed on receipt of the goods - for example, by showing that it is due to the poor quality of the materials used.

Your website suggests that after 6 months you must prove that the fault existed when you bought it....

Nice try obviously, can't believe someone exists who is too tight to buy another grass trimmer after 18 months of use

[zedx19]

Contact Argos Head Office or ask on their Twitter/Facebook page why they aren't honoring the 2 year EU thing. You're much more likely to get the response you want dealing with Head Office or Social Media than you are a local branch manager.

[Alucidnation]

Don't forget compensation as well.

[Graveworm]

StamV said:

Hello all,

I read this section regularly and I was wondering if the situation I am in happens often.

I bought a grass trimmer from Argos in May 2017, and on the 23rd August this year it stopped working. I know the normal Argos guarantee is one year, however under EU law there should be a minimum of 2 year warranty on all electrical goods.

More here
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/sh...

I often travel to Italy (have relatives there) and there this guarantee is applied without any quibble.

In the UK in theory there is a 6 year guarantee period, however this is used as an excuse in order to avoid applying the strict 2 year guarantee (as by EU law).

I went to the same Argos and I was informed that they only honour the one year guarantee. The Customer Service Manager there informed me that there is no company policy that allows extending the guarantee to 2 years as required by EU law, and if a manager did that, they would be sacked.

How do you advise I should proceed?
Many thanks

I thought the UK opted out of this saying it's own CRA went further. We bought my Aunt a television which went wrong after about 18 months she tried to get it sorted and the manager said it only had a one year warranty. When I went in I wasn't expecting much, he seemed to know what the score is and showed me online that I had to get it inspected, at my cost, to show it had not lasted a reasonable length of time and it was not caused by misuse. They then paid for the repair. He even supplied some companies that do that. It wasn't as easy as just returning it within a warranty period but the repair was £350 on a 2K TVs o probably worth it.

[Lurking Lawyer]

Alucidnation said:

Don't forget compensation as well.

For what.....?

The law compensates for out of pocket expense. It doesn't (with a few exceptions, none of which apply here) provide compensation for aggravation, hassle loss of amenity or having to fight to enforce your rights.

Or maybe I'm missing the sarcasm, in which case Whoosh Parrot to Aisle 3 please.

[anonymous-user]

zedx19 said:

why they aren't honoring the 2 year EU thing.

OP's linked website said:

After 6 months, in most EU countries, you need to prove that the defect already existed on receipt of the goods - for example, by showing that it is due to the poor quality of the materials used.

After 6 months the fault had to be there when purchased...
At least they gave him a year.

Lurking Lawyer said:

Alucidnation said:

Don't forget compensation as well.

For what.....?

The law compensates for out of pocket expense. It doesn't (with a few exceptions, none of which apply here) provide compensation for aggravation, hassle loss of amenity or having to fight to enforce your rights.

Or maybe I'm missing the sarcasm, in which case Whoosh Parrot to Aisle 3 please.

Aisle 3 is that way...

[StamV]

Alucidnation said:

Don't forget compensation as well.

Thanks for the pointless sarcasm.

I do know of people who were able to get the 2 year guarantee honoured in Argos (but not that specific branch) but it is not an easy process like in other EU countries. The good thing (not!) is that after Brexit we will have one less layer of customer protection.

I will try with head office, it might just work.

[anonymous-user]

StamV said:

Thanks for the pointless sarcasm.

I do know of people who were able to get the 2 year guarantee honoured in Argos (but not that specific branch) but it is not an easy process like in other EU countries. The good thing (not!) is that after Brexit we will have one less layer of customer protection.

I will try with head office, it might just work.

Seeing as you can't read the website you posted I am going to assume that you will get nowhere with this, might I suggest a email to the daily mail, if you take the crossed arms next to the broken appliance photos before and attach them to the email they are more likely to run the story as then it will involve less work, or ever having to meet you.

All the best with your moaning to head office, do feel free to tell them if we were in Italy they would honour it.

[jonttt]

I’ve had 4 or 5 electrical items repaired under the euro 2 year warranty with high street retailers such as PC world etc..... These include a TV where there first response was “it 20 months since purchase and you did not take out an extended warranty”, I quoted my euro rights in some form of words (can’t remember exactly what I said) and they just rolled over as easy as anything, I left the TV with them and they repaired if FOC. I also had a Hoover, shaver (battery would not hold charge) and house phone all replaced or repaired under the same premise. Every time they have said no at first and then as soon as I mention 2 year rights on electrical goods they just roll over.

Because its been so easy I;ve never even bothered checking if they have to or not, I just read about it a few years ago and had no problems claiming it, they just volunteer the right as they just want to sell you an extended warranty for something you appear to already have ?

[StamV]

Perhaps I should have made it clearer: it is an EU directive, and since the UK law provides 6 years of guarantee, then this gives more protection. However in practice this is NOT the case, as it has been abundantly shown.

Regarding the poster who advised me to go the Daily Mail, surely if he had bothered to read my second post he could have deduced that I don't exactly hold that specimen of arch-Brexiteer, judge threatening, hatred stirring newspaper in high regards. Perhaps things will change with the new editor.

Back on topic, the monetary amount is small but it is the principle that matters - I have an extreme dislike of companies that try to wriggle our of their duties.

[StamV]

Flumpo said:

Why after brexit would we no longer have this protection? Did Theresa May put in her last manifesto she was removing the current warranty/guarantee policy we have already adopted?

That’s quite a specific policy pledge that I don’t remember seeing. Or are you just a fkwit?

After "hard" Brexit, EU directives will not be valid anymore. Therefore I will NOT be able to use the 2 year EU guarantee argument. Somehow your comment and your level of language is not surprising...

[StamV]

Thanks for the useful comments. I think this thread is degenerating rather quickly (no need to make any names, just look at the insults) so moderators feel free to lock it.

Thanks!

[Amateurish]

StamV said:

Perhaps I should have made it clearer: it is an EU directive, and since the UK law provides 6 years of guarantee, then this gives more protection. However in practice this is NOT the case, as it has been abundantly shown.

Regarding the poster who advised me to go the Daily Mail, surely if he had bothered to read my second post he could have deduced that I don't exactly hold that specimen of arch-Brexiteer, judge threatening, hatred stirring newspaper in high regards. Perhaps things will change with the new editor.

Back on topic, the monetary amount is small but it is the principle that matters - I have an extreme dislike of companies that try to wriggle our of their duties.

EU directives are not directly enforceable in the UK.

English law does not provide a 6 year guarantee.

[StamV]

Amateurish said:

EU directives are not directly enforceable in the UK.

English law does not provide a 6 year guarantee.

Under English law you can ask for an item to be repaired/replaced within 6 years of purchase, albeit with some (many!) limitations. So it is less powerful than a no-quibble guarantee.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation...

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/sh...

[mortones2]

EU directives are not themselves law until transposed into national law. There will be a set of regs. dealing with the subject, probably. Until repealed, they will apply, as they are bona fide UK law. Brexit = cesspit legally….

[Amateurish]

mortones2 said:

EU directives are not themselves law until transposed into national law. There will be a set of regs. dealing with the subject, probably. Until repealed, they will apply, as they are bona fide UK law. Brexit = cesspit legally….

Consumer Rights Act 2015.

[Amateurish]

StamV said:

Under English law you can ask for an item to be repaired/replaced within 6 years of purchase, albeit with some (many!) limitations. So it is less powerful than a no-quibble guarantee.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation...

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/sh...

Basically, it's a six month warranty. After that period, it's up to the consumer to prove that the defect was present at the time of purchase. In other words, no help at all to the OP.

[anonymous-user]

Amateurish said:

Basically, it's a six month warranty. After that period, it's up to the consumer to prove that the defect was present at the time of purchase. In other words, no help at all to the OP.

Already explained to him multiple times, but of course ... he's still right