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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sports direct

72 replies

Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 16:23

I bought two pairs of junior swimming goggles today from sports direct for ten pounds each. The box said ages 6-14. My two are aged 11 and 9 and the goggles were far, far too tight. This was despite me adjusting the strap. They were so tight they couldn’t even open their eyes.

I put the goggles back in the box perfectly and trotted off back to sports direct with my receipt. No refund offered just a credit note. I explained this would be no good as the shop didn’t have any other children’s goggles and I wouldn’t need to buy anything else in the shop. The manager said as the goggles were not faulty they would not give me my money back. I said as they were not fit for their intended use they were indeed faulty. I mean it’s not like my kids have freakishly massive heads.

Grr, I was so annoyed. Tried to email their customer services online and the ticket just will not go through so I’ve messaged their inbox on Facebook. I suspect I probably won’t get very far, but I will never, ever shop there again.

Aibu to expect a full refund?

OP posts:
ILoveMyMonkey · 01/05/2021 16:25

Annoying and I agree they should give you a refund but I don’t think they technically have to as the items aren’t faulty - they just don’t fit. Can you just buy some adult goggles with the credit note instead?

Sirzy · 01/05/2021 16:25

Sports direct are very clear on the fact they don’t do refunds just credit notes

That’s one of the reasons I don’t shop there!

MelissaVonStressel · 01/05/2021 16:29

I've stood behind someone in the queue at Sports Direct while they made the exact argument - that if a product was labelled age 5 but was too small for her 3 year old then it was faulty - to a succession of people and then on the phone to the area manager. I think a credit note was the most they were offering but she told them exactly where to stick it and flounced off.

She was calm and assertive and totally in the right but the computer said no.

Original poster
Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 16:31

@ILoveMyMonkey

My goggles are too big for them.

@Sirzy

How are they clear? To be honest I don’t use the shop much, so naively assumed I could get a refund as most shops are quite accommodating. I’ve read the receipt and it states they only give refunds for faulty products but initially when I bought the goggles I didn’t know that. I wasn’t told at purchase.

Life lesson learnt, last ever purchase.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 16:32

@MelissaVonStressel

Sounds like me today 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Hesma · 01/05/2021 16:32

Sports direct never give refunds only credit notes which is why I go there as little as possible. In my local store there is a sign explaining this near the tills

Mamamia456 · 01/05/2021 16:35

Yabu - If their policy is they only do exchanges or credit notes then they are not obliged to give a refund. The goggles were not faulty. Would you take an item of clothing back to a store and say it was faulty if it didn't fit you?

delilahbucket · 01/05/2021 16:35

Most of their stock is cheap cast offs from the manufacturers. I've so many things that are appalling quality I just stopped shopping there. That and I don't like the owner or the way he does business at all.

tv86 · 01/05/2021 16:35

I shop in sports direct a lot and never knew they didn't do refunds. I shop online and have taken and done exchanges but I was actually going to return some stuff next week that didn't fit. looks like it will be a voucher instead, think it's ridiculous though

Original poster
Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 16:35

@Hesma

Ahh okay, well I didn’t spot that. At least I know now to give it a miss.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 16:40

@Mamamia456

If my clothes don’t fit I take the item back and then exchange for the appropriate size. There were no other options though for goggles.

Considering they were supposed to fit up to age 14, I presumed they would be okay for my 9 year old. I mean like I said she has an averaged size head lol.

OP posts:
tttigress · 01/05/2021 16:51

Sports Direct are actually quite cheap, there is a reason for that!

Original poster
Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 16:54

@tttigress

I don’t think ten pounds is that cheap for a pair of goggles though. Kicking myself for not going to decathlon. I googled and their junior goggles are 3.99 a pair.

OP posts:
ElderMillennial · 01/05/2021 16:54

Some shops only do exchanges and this should be advertised so YABU to expect a refund unless you can argue, as PP has, that they are faulty or misrepresented as the wrong size or not fit for purpose as they don't fit the age of child they are said to be for.

ElderMillennial · 01/05/2021 16:55

Couldn't you swap them for a bigger size?

Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat · 01/05/2021 16:56

Totally missing the point but have you tried to slacken them more. It’s unusual that Goggles would not fit a 9 year old if it’s says up to 14. What make are they. Goggles are meant to be tight.

ichundich · 01/05/2021 16:56

This only applies if something wasn't bought online though surely? Tbh I hate the atmosphere in there anyway - disinterested staff, horrible lighting and racks that I can't reach.

DamSky · 01/05/2021 16:58

Sports Direct have never given refunds. I avoid at all cost because of this and other factors to do with who owns it.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 01/05/2021 16:58

Sports Direct never give refunds unless the item is faulty, and even then they're very reluctant.

Despite what PP say I don't actually think they're that cheap, either.

poppycat10 · 01/05/2021 17:00

@Mamamia456

Yabu - If their policy is they only do exchanges or credit notes then they are not obliged to give a refund. The goggles were not faulty. Would you take an item of clothing back to a store and say it was faulty if it didn't fit you?
Yes if it said it was a size 8 but was clearly a size 14! Although to be fair you'd see that it was too big beforehand.

But if goggles are too tight they are not fit for purpose.

poppycat10 · 01/05/2021 17:01

But I would never buy anything in Sports Direct because they don't give a toss about customer service. I think I bought socks there once, which were ok. But I'd be wary of buying anything else.

HenryHooverIII · 01/05/2021 17:02

I haven't shopped there for about five years, but they used to have huge signs on the tills saying 'exchanges only' and the staff would make a point of telling you 'exchanges only.'

They only thing they sell worth having is slazenger socks for work boots.

Anonmousse · 01/05/2021 17:02

I also find this extremely annoying about sports direct , especially as even pre covid, not all stores had changing rooms, but I did already know they don't do refunds.(or admit fault)
They also train their staff to push their own brands. I went in for trainers and they kept trying to force persuade me to get Karrimore trainers despite the fact that they were blatantly too big. They countered this by trying to off load insoles to me. Err no funnily enough I'd rather buy a pair that actually fits. I ended up buying online (not SD)
I once asked if they had any gymnastics leotards, the woman who worked there looked at me, like I'd asked for the moon!

FlyingBurrito · 01/05/2021 17:03

Unfortunately in this case you are unreasonable to expect a refund as Sports Direct are well known for sticking to the letter of the law when it comes to consumer rights

With 2 children I'm surprised you wouldn't spend a £20 credit note even all you do is stock up on sports socks.

Original poster
Chillychangchoo · 01/05/2021 17:03

@Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat

They’re literally so tight they slant their eyes, even after adjusting them. The make was Speedo so I thought they would be fine. They’re both used to wearing goggles, but I bought them a few years ago in a supermarket (forgot which one), and they defo weren’t a tenner! They had had their day though, as plenty of use.

Well guess I know now about that shop. Quite pleased really as my youngest has just started playing football and I need to buy him some boots. I’ll avoid.

Thanks all for your opinions.

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