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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to return a used (once) JML ceramic frying pan?

27 replies

OneSkinnyChip · 28/09/2014 19:54

I bought one of those JML ceramic frying pans from a supermarket. The advertising on the packaging says that you can cook oil free. Today I unwrapped it, 'seasoned' the pan as instructed and got ready to make our first meal in it.

It was a disaster. I actually put a teaspoon of oil in as I was sceptical about the oil-free claim but even with this EVERYTHING stuck. The bacon was bad but the eggs were a joke. The JML video shows the eggs slithering gently onto the plate; the reality was that I had to hack them off in pieces with a silicone spatula!

I am really cross as this was the first time it was used, I followed the instructions and it blatantly doesn't do what it says it does. It was a thirty quid impulse purchase and of course I've now seen reviews online where loads of people have found the same thing!

I want to return it as unfit for purpose. The packaging has been opened and the bottom of the pan has a black mark from the cooker. I have the receipt. Is the supermarket supposed to refund me under the Sale of Goods Act?

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 28/09/2014 19:57

Of course they have to

What a shit purchase

Original poster
OneSkinnyChip · 28/09/2014 19:59

The funny thing is the packaging was open when I bought it and I'm now wondering if the black mark was from someone else's cooker - who had used it and returned it.

I could have bought a really decent Tefal pan for thirty quid Angry

OP posts:
lurkernowposter · 28/09/2014 20:03

I've seen that advert on T.V, those pans look marvellous but you have to ask yourself, if they are that good, why don't the professionals use them?

TeracottaTurtle · 28/09/2014 20:04
Shock

^ This is because I have one...and I can honestly say it's one of the best kitchen purchases I've made.

I bought it and was a bit sceptical...but all the adverts where you see a fried egg or piece of meat just sliding out without touching it...that's what mine does. No oil at all. It's actually fairly fascinating to watch.

I don't understand it...maybe you had one from a dodgy batch op?

PitchSlapped · 28/09/2014 20:06

Mine is also fairly shit. Omelettes get stuck to it even with cooking spray, definitely cant use it without oil

Original poster
OneSkinnyChip · 28/09/2014 20:07

Terracotta that is what I wanted! :( I wanted to believe it would really do that but honestly the egg was in tatters and I was in a rage by the time it splatted onto my plate.

I take it the supermarket has to take it back? Can anyone legal please confirm this?

OP posts:
Original poster
OneSkinnyChip · 28/09/2014 20:09

Pitch did you get yours from Asda? And terracotta where did you get yours? I'm wondering if they sent a faulty batch to Asda to get rid of them or something Angry

OP posts:
TeracottaTurtle · 28/09/2014 20:10

Very strange. Honestly, nothing sticks to mine and the cleaning is one of it's main benefits for me. It gets a swish under the hot tap and that's it, that's all it needs. I even make cheese sauce in it because the clean up is nil as opposed to a saucepan which I would have to scrub.

How can the same product vary so much?

Bulbasaur · 28/09/2014 20:10

Stores are required to refund or exchange a faulty product. Get an exchange if the next one doesn't work, I'd get store credit.

TeracottaTurtle · 28/09/2014 20:12

I got mine direct from JML, I phoned the number they show on the advert and ordered one.

scousadelic · 28/09/2014 20:14

I had one and it was fantastic for a while, just like the advert, then it suddenly changed. It looked slightly discoloured and things didn't just stick to it, they welded! I don't have a good track record with frying pans so assumed it was me, threw it away and went back to a normal pan

TooMuchCantBreath · 28/09/2014 20:19

But you put oil in it? It's supposed to be used without and pp who used it properly has no issue? Why did you spend so much money then not give it a chance to do its job?

falafelburger · 28/09/2014 20:27

You wouldn't be unreasonable at all to return it. In fact you'd be well within your legal rights.

The Sale of Goods Act says that goods must be as described, of satisfactory quality, and fit for purpose. From what you've said, the pan clearly isn't. Whether you've used it or not is immaterial.

I'm not a lawyer, but have confidently asserted my rights under the law a couple of times in similar circumstances.

Here's what Which say about it:

www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

Good luck!

Original poster
OneSkinnyChip · 28/09/2014 20:38

Toomuch you CAN use it with oil, you're just supposed to be able to use it without which was the reason I bought it.

Teracotta you got the ultimate pan! That's what I wanted. I have pan envy. Even yours Scouse - at least it worked for a while. Mine was crap from the first use.

Thanks for link falafel. Has anyone any suggestions what to do if they say no? I would probably be willing to take a credit note but on principle I don't think I should have to. I would rather get my money back and spend it on a decent Tefal wherever it is cheapest.

OP posts:
TheBatteriesHaveRunOut · 28/09/2014 20:42

I've seen the ad for these and DESPITE THE FELLA WITH THE PAN SHOUTING AT THE CAMERA WHICH PUTS ME RIGHT OFF, I'm sort of interested. The pan you can burn stuff on, and melt plastic stuff in, and it slides gracefully into the bin?

Yes, I think if it's not fit for purpose you can get a refund. Money saving expert has advice on the sale of goods act, if that is the one you have to quote when asking for a refund.

I wonder if it was used and returned, but the previous owner didn't season it properly or something.

popcornpaws · 28/09/2014 20:49

They won't refuse to give you a refund.
It doesn't work, I would take a refund and not an exchange, buy a good quality one in its place.

JudysPriest · 28/09/2014 21:21

I got a frying pan for £2.50 from Homebargains. Just for pancakes on shrove Tuesday. Best one I ever bought. Nothing sticks to it.

Get a refund.

Original poster
OneSkinnyChip · 28/09/2014 22:02

I really wish I had read some reviews before I bought it - I'm definitely not the first sucker person to get caught out by this Sad

How do JML get away with making this claim when it the pan doesn't do what it's meant to do?! Has anyone ever made a complaint to advertising standards about them? Is this the kind of thing Advertising Standards deal with?

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 28/09/2014 22:07

My ex used to work for the JML guy many years ago. He reckons most of what he sold (used to be at home exhibition type things) was absolute and utter shite and he wouldn't touch any of his products with a 50 ft pole.

cees · 28/09/2014 22:10

I would never buy anything from JML again, their stuff is shite. I bought the salad spinner/slicer thing, the ped egg and the door mat that is supposed to stop wet shoes from leaving wet foot prints on the floor, all crap, never again.

orangefusion · 28/09/2014 22:14

Mr JML is the husband of Mrs MI5 (as was).

OraProNobis · 28/09/2014 22:20

Mine did what scouseadelic's did. Well, one of the 3 did. The 2nd one was as bad or maybe worse than OP's. 3rd one never got used - wrapped it up and gave it to SIL for her birthday !!

Rivercam · 28/09/2014 22:21

The shop will either refund or exchange it for you.

orangefusion · 28/09/2014 22:24

Sorry, no he wasn't. John Mills was married to the first woman head of the CPS. Nothing to do with this thread at all and sorry for derailing.

Take it back. They will give you your money back almost certainly, they don't like unhappy customers.

BadtzMaru · 28/09/2014 22:27

Yep JML stuff is utter crap. I worked in a shop that sold it and the amount that got brought back was unbelievable.