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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just go round to their house and ask/demand a refund?

54 replies

raininginbaltimore · 17/08/2012 18:46

I bought a baby swing off netmums. They live just round corner from me. It doesn't work. It has been stored with batteries in and one has leaked.

I know I should have checked before I bought it, but they had no batteries and I am naively trusting. I have emailed explaining, but no reply. Should I just go round and ask for refund? Do I have any legal rights if they refuse.

I have a 2 week old, I am sleep deprived and have cried a lot at my stupidity this afternoon.

OP posts:
JumpingThroughHoops · 17/08/2012 18:48

Second hand? bought as seen I'm afraid.

Going to the house might get you arrested for harassment.

BulldogDrummond · 17/08/2012 18:48

Did they put 'caveat emptor' in their advertisement? If so, you are not entitled to a refund because it means something like 'buyer beware' or 'bought as seen'.

DolomitesDonkey · 17/08/2012 18:49

Please be nice to yourself and cry for feeling hormonal, hot & sweaty - but not for a dodgy chair.

There are things in life you fuck up and might be worth berating yourself for. This? Pffffff.

(I don't know about the actual going around - I tend to avoid confrontation so would just send my husband who is glaswegian and loves a scrap.

Original poster
raininginbaltimore · 17/08/2012 18:50

Fuck I am a twat. Dh basically called me a fool.

OP posts:
LadySybildeChocolate · 17/08/2012 18:51

Just call them and say it doesn't work. Buyer beware is all well and good, but if you don't ask then you'll never know. Don't be hostile or confrontational, just call/email and say it doesn't work as there's damage to the battery box.

Debeez · 17/08/2012 18:52

Even the littlest things are the worlds end with a 2 week old and no sleep.

Not unreasonable to go round and ask but if you think you may get a bit cross I'd recommend against it.
Is there anyone else who could go for you?

"Sorry, you sold my friend this, probably weren't aware it wasn't working. She can't come round as her DC is only two weeks old and she's exhausted poor thing. Can we make this right?"

Obviously if they say no, or tough luck bought as seen you'll just have to expect your lot.

Debeez · 17/08/2012 18:52

*accept not expect

GhostShip · 17/08/2012 18:52

Tell DH he should have bought you a bloody new one then. Hate people who make you feel bad when you know you've made a mistake!

The mums a bloody arse too, sly cow. I'm afraid you probably won't get a refund :(

Original poster
raininginbaltimore · 17/08/2012 18:53

I have emailed, but no response yet. Possible they haven't seen it yet.

Dh furious at me wasting money.

OP posts:
BBwolefs · 17/08/2012 18:54

Yanbu to pop round and in a pleasant way say "not sure if you recieved my email but this chair doesnt work, it appears the batteries leaked in storage" they may well be shamed enough to give you back your money. It depends on who You are they are etc but if it makes you feel better its worth a go.

CrikeyOHare · 17/08/2012 18:54

If they haven't replied to your email, then I doubt they're going to be overwhelmed with happiness to see you on their doorstep. So, a no fuss refund is not likely, I would say

Legally, I don't know. But even if you did have rights, can you really be bothered with court action right now?

Personally, I would leave it. Chalk it up to experience. And, don't upset yourself, really. You're not stupid to have trusted someone.

Cokeaholic · 17/08/2012 18:55

Firstly, call them on it immediately.

See what the response is. If they stonewall you, the you can warn other netmums users about them.

I have successfully resurrected a couple of items stored with batteries in which leaked by rubbing over the contact points in the battery area with sandpaper or something similar to remove the scale/leakage so that you can see metal again. Then put new batteries in and see if it works.

Obviously don't try it until you have tried to get a refund as if you do they will be able to say you must have damaged it yourself when you tried to clean up the leakage.

cheesesarnie · 17/08/2012 18:55

another reason to stay away from netmums.

leave it a few days, email again. few more days then tell her what a twat she is via netmums.

dont cry Sad

LadySybildeChocolate · 17/08/2012 18:55

When did you send the email? Give them a day to reply.

Debeez · 17/08/2012 18:56

Dh needs to calm down a bit. It's not like you went out and bought £50 worth of bum toning cream. You tried to save a bit of money, you trusted someone not to rip off a new mother who has her hands full with a new DC and may not think to check things as thoroughly as they usually would.

CrikeyOHare · 17/08/2012 18:56

Don't like your DH's attitude over this, I must say. You're not a fool, ffs. If it bothers him so much, tell him to go round there & sort it out.

Original poster
raininginbaltimore · 17/08/2012 18:58

Thanks. It is just we were given some money to buy it. We bought one from a second hand shop that was faulty, so returned it. Now this.

if we don't get refund we won't be able to afford to buy one. So I have a broken swing and nothing for dd to go in. I sold all our stuff after ds as I was never going to have any more!

OP posts:
Morph2 · 17/08/2012 18:59

its easy for them to ignore and email or maybe they don't even check that regularly if they aren't expecting anything- ie if they don't have anything for sale at the minute, or they could be on holiday.

I'd take it back personally and be nice about it, is harder for them to ignore when you're stood there. Then if they get arsey and won't give you a refund i'd prob leave it as its not worth the arguement.

If they flat out refuse to give you a refund should you inform net mums? not that they can do anything but for future ref

Original poster
raininginbaltimore · 17/08/2012 19:00

He told me I should have checked it worked before I paid. And he is right. But probably not an excuse to call me a fool

OP posts:
Socknickingpixie · 17/08/2012 19:00

poor love thats sucky. fwiw if i had sold it and a crying lady turned up on my doorstep and was polite i would hand the dosh back and grovel appoligies

Coconutty · 17/08/2012 19:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
raininginbaltimore · 17/08/2012 19:02

I wouldn't be arsey, I am a bit too meek for that. Much more likely to apologise to them. I will wait and see if I get a reply.

Thanks for making me feel less daft

OP posts:
BeeWi · 17/08/2012 19:03

Personally I would go round. They sold you faulty goods and, by saying they did not have batteries in but failing to mention it did not work, they have tacitly implied it is functional.

What have you got to lose by going round, explaining the situation and politely asking for a refund? That isn't harassment, it's just sensible.

TheMysteryCat · 17/08/2012 19:03

Where are you? I have a bouncy chair you can have if you're near bude.

alistron1 · 17/08/2012 19:04

Silly question - but have you tried cleaning the battery contacts? If the old batteries have leaked you might be able to scrape the gunk off the contacts and get it working.

If not - go round there with it.