Help! Broken headphones and returning

[FloofCloud]

What can I do, DD15 is autistic and has sensory issues. She relies on her noise cancelling headphones for most of the time she's outside and half the time she's indoors.
FIL bought her expensive headphones last Christmas however they have a 'weak point' so have broken easily. It wasn't her, they just broke.
FIL doesn't have the receipt, and has just bought her some new ones but they're just cheap ones and don't work for her like the original ones
Would you contact the manufacturer. Or take back to Argos (bought there)?
Thanks in advance

What brand are they?

Argos email you a receipt usually

Thank FIL for trying to help but explain that certain specifications are needed so can he return the new ones. Ask if he had an email receipt for the first ones.

Argos will not accept returns without a receipt. It will be best to email the manufacturer. If they were expensive I am assuming you set up the warranty online so should have a record.

Even with a receipt I think they would unlikely to exchange due them being broken at ‘a weak point’ unless they have already had hundreds back.
After 11 months they will probably argue wear and tear or user error. How much were they?

Sounds like wear and tear to me

Are they designed for continual use?

Yes, they were £300. Sony is the make
The weak point is the gap between the head band part and the ear phone part

Have a look online and see if other people have had a problem with them. If the goods are faulty then, if you can prove their was a fault with them, Argo would be responsible for repairing, refunding (less some money for usage) or replacing them with like for like. You wouldn't need a receipt theoretically. If your FIL has a bank statement showing he bought them or if he has any email receipts it would help.

However you would have to show that there was an existing with them so it might not be worth your while pursuing it.

I recently returning something faulty to tkmax with no receipt. I had a bank statement but there was no way to show it was for the faulty item. They gave me my money back on a gift card. In theory I could have insisted on them returning my money in the same way I had paid for the item but I appreciate that it's difficult for them too as I could have bought the item elsewhere or potentially have stolen them.

Does your fil have any proof of purchase from Argos?

I'll ask my DH to check about the email receipt, they couldn't be wear and tear at that cost. She rarely goes out, never puts them into a bag or anything as she's either wearing them or they're in her room on the bedside table - they changed her life, so was sooo careful with them

Yes, they were £300. Sony is the make
The weak point is the gap between the head band part and the ear phone part

Did you anyone activate the guarantee?
They shouldn't break even if used daily. An item like that at that price should last a lot longer than 11 months

Argos are unlikely to help in my experience. Try contacting the manufacturer. Some are good, others not so much. Legislation is on your side - goods should last a reasonable amount of time. I have returned broken headphones after that amount of time and they were much cheaper!

What do you mean "they couldn't be wear and tear at that cost"? Cost doesn't really come into it...

Of course it can be wear and tear....coat has no bearing on that

11 months in, are they out of warranty?

Not sure, both him and DH are a bit useless at this kind of thing

@WYorkshireRose
What do you mean "they couldn't be wear and tear at that cost"? Cost doesn't really come into it

Yes it does. An expensive pair would reasonably be expected to be more durable than a cheap pair.

The warranty is usually 12 months, contact Sony.

Agree with the above. This is a return due to a fult not because she's changed her mind and is covered by the sale of goods act.

Proof of purchase doesn't have to be receipt, does the bank statement show the transaction ?

After 6 months the onus is on the owner to prove the fault was there

If your FIL has proof of purchase (doesn't need to be a receipt, a bank statement will do) then they should take them back. At 11 months they'll still be under warranty and even if they aren't, there's a clause somewhere that states that items must last a "reasonable amount of time".

Thanks all - I've emailed a photo over to Sony Uk along with the serial number - fingers crossed!