To ask for my money back?

[ifoundthebread]

I had an issue with a car seat I purchased at the end of January, took it back to the store who agreed there was a fault so took it from the car. Told me they agreed there was a fault and were happy to exchange it but they didn't have any of the seats I had in stock, they didn't have many seats in stock tbh - words of the woman assisting me. The car seat I returned is currently on sale for £180 in their store, I payed £130 in a 'deal of the day'. The only car seats they had were own brand ones which were £50 or another brand which was £170. I don't like the own brand ones (poor crash tests) so was told I would have to pay the £40 difference as they didn't know when they would be getting more stock of my car seat. I need a car seat and felt I had no choice, but surely it was returned for a safety fault I shouldn't be penalised for their lack of stock? Should I just suck it up or ring and complain wanting the £40 back as a gesture of good will considering it could of been fatal to my son if there was an accident? Or should I be contacting the manufacturer direct to complain?

I don't think you can get it back to be honest. They refunded you purchase price. You could have gone elsewhere.
I didn't think complaining will make any difference.

You got your money back and then you bought a different seat, which was £40 more than you paid for your original seat. There is no £40 to get back. That’s how much it cost.

Same is issue with mothercare. Return to the manufacturer direct and get a new one from them. I had a brand new car seat the next day

Mothercare? Are they about to go bust or does it just feel like it?

Anyway, I’m afraid I agree with PP, you could’ve gone elsewhere (I’m assuming you didn’t transport your child there in a faulty seat)

Maybe I'm reading wrong but I can't see where OP got a refund or could have gone elsewhere. She was offered an exchange, an exact match wasn't available only. OP were you offered a refund to go elsewhere?

Yabu

Yes it was mothercare and no I didn't have my child with me. The car seat straps would come loose with the smallest amount of pressure, so I took it back as soon as possible, I only found the fault last night and returned it this morning. No I was offered an exchange, no mention of a refund.

Why would they refund you anything when you paid a special price on a one day deal? That deal applied when you bought the seat, not today.

They should have offered you either £130 back in cash or that money off another car seat which is I think what they did?

If the seat was faulty you are entitled to a repair, exchange or refund, up to the retailer who your contract is with. They went straight to exchange which they couldn't then honour, they should have offered a refund so you can go elsewhere. I'm not sure you'll now just get your £40 quid back but if the new seat hadn't been used I'd be pushing to return, get a refund and go elsewhere.

I'm obviously in the wrong. Just feeling a bit penalised and out of pocket through no fault of my own.

Did you ask for a refund?

You're not out of pocket though, you paid £170 for a £170 car seat!

You aren't entitled to the £40 back. They weren't obliged to price match on a different seat. It's unfortunate they couldn't exchange like for like - but would you have wanted another one of the same given the seriousness of the fault? I certainly wouldn't have.

No, as I'd be no further forward. I needed a safe car seat and there was no where local to get another one in the time frame.

You're not wrong that you shouldn't have to spend more to replace something faulty but asking for the £40 back now isn't reasonable I don't think. I'd have pushed for a cash refund and gone elsewhere but appreciated that what's done is done.

Mothercare are carrying very little stock of big items... 🤔

Misses point of thread

They aren't going to be around much longer I don't imagine, they are overpriced and under stocked. Our local one is awful, can't get round it with a buggy, baby room is gross and the staff are unpleasant.

I think Mothercare have been struggling for some time. They closed the Altrincham store in the past year. Not sure if they've closed many others.

You could have had a refund of £130 and gone elsewhere. But it still would have cost you extra.

Did they offer to check and see if another store had it in stock?

why didn’t you just ask for a refund (provided you had your receipt?) surely you’ve returned products before for a refund? Not sure why this would be different?

I think YABU about your £40.

You paid 170 for a 170 car seat. I'm failing to see the problem. You could have taken the 130 and gone elsewhere, but you chose not to. At that point, they have done their duty.