to think the service from this shop was not only bad but also rather gross

[DanNickBen]

Loooong time lurker first time proper poster. Would really like to know what you all think?

So I purchased some new in ear earphones from a large long running well known cd/dvd shop last week (don't think I can name the shop here) and immediately discovered they were not working properly, they kept cutting in and out whilst using, not a lot but definitely in a noticeable way when walking whilst listing to music with my phone in my pocket.

I mananged to find the time yesterday to return them to a different branch so went in to return them and the first person I went up to said that's fine but she will have to test them, she then proceeds to put them into her ears and listen to some music

I immediately thought umm that's a bit gross but let her carry on as I just wanted the refund. She then goes over to another member of staff who does the same and they wiggle the cable whilst listening, then they finally come over to me and tell me they do work (!?)

might just need to point out now these are the in ear earphones, the type that you full on wedge into your ears so definitely not hygienic to share.

Immediately I just say 'they don't work' and stress the problem is not consistent but he just continues to say they work and tries to get me to listen whilst he plays music (after they have been in both staffs ears)

So I get a manager over who proceeds to do the same, yes puts them in his ears and listen to some music whilst shaking the cable a bit, he then says he can't see a fault so won't be refunding them.

So I am left with a pair of earphones less then a week old which have been in three strangers ears and certainly do not fully work.

They certainly do not fully work, I tested them on two music players on two days.

So AIBU to think the service from the shop was poor as testing them in this manner was not adequate and expecting a customer to take back a pair of in ear earphones after 3 staff members had put them in there ears is just plain gross?

I think I will try to return them to my local store tonight

Side note I've just purchased another pair from a certain large yellow store on Oxford Street and they were so nice. They massively went out of their way (without me saying no anything) to stress to me that if ANYTHING goes wrong with them I can just bring them back to the same store anytime within the 3 year warranty.

Surely that's the proper way to treat and retain customers.

Don't forget to mention that you have a rather unpleasant ear condition which could be contagious .

racks brains trying to think of a yellow electronics store

YANBU. Terrible customer services from the first place!

RichardBucket

It's not just a electronics store, it sells pretty much everything you could ever need and wish for. I was about to say it only has one store but I think there is one in Manchester and one in Birmingham actually also had a ITV drama series that was quite good about it. . (I'm quite enjoying this guessing game)

Just wanted to mention that it might be an issue with your device. Some devices have a headphone jack that is simply too small.

colloborate

I tested it on both my personal and work mobile and found the same issue with both

Daft question.. Is it on all songs on both devices, or the same songs?
I have a couple of songs, and no matter how many times I have deleted and re-added, they sound odd and cut out. Even tried them on different devices and still does this.

bloodyteenagers

It was Apple Music on my personal one and as I don't have any music on my work phone I just played a YouTube music video and same thing :/

Tbh, I would let the staff in the shop you originally purchased them in go right ahead and put them in their ears. Then insist on a refund.
There is no way I would be happy with someone doing that. They could have held them near to them and listened. Very poor service not to have refunded or exchanged on the spot.

Disgusting! Okay - they have to check that you aren't just pulling a fast one (though I have heard of people buying posh frocks to wear to a "do" and then taking the sweaty item back after the occasion . . . are you sure you didn't just get them to listen to a particular edition of "Woman's Hour", and once you'd heard it . . . . ?).

There's NO WAY I would want something IN my ears that had been in umpteen other peoples' - or even one other person's. Take the advice of those in the know on here and get in touch with their head office, trading standards and perhaps your local newspaper. Enough bad publicity will at least get you your money's worth even if they dig their unhygienic heels in!

You have a straightforward remedy under the Consumer Rights Act. You have the right to reject goods within 30 days of purchase. No need for anyone to be putting phones in their ears and wiggling cables.

Go back and tell them this and insist on a refund.

Right so I have a UPDATE

I just took them to my local store and the guy proceeded to test them the exact same way, yes he put them in his ears. I said nothing and just thought if he tries to give them back I will be point blank refusing. But anyway this time as he could hear the fault he gave me a full refund.

So i am clearly not mental :)

I certainly won't be using that store for anything ever again. Also it is the store most of you are thinking by the way. The one with the dog and grammar phone (I think that's what those things are called)

Still intrigued to see the reply for my letter. I ust would like to know if this is policy for them really. I would refuse to test them that way if I was a employer

Oh I should point out I put the spare earbud things that came with it on them just incase he did the same as felt bad risking someone being the 5th to use them