Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To return this?

29 replies

Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:08

I have just bought an electrical item from b&q. I've used it and it's rubbish. It's not faulty but just....rubbish! I only bought it today but can't make it look unused as you would be able to tell. I also wouldn't know it was rubbish if I hadn't used it. Do I have any right to return it? I have the box and receipt

OP posts:
Itsnotwhatitlookslike · 20/07/2022 17:10

Is it not fit for purpose or just not as good as you hoped?

Original poster
Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:13

Not as good as I had hoped...nowhere near for the price

OP posts:
BrownHairedQuirk · 20/07/2022 17:14

My husband works there and said they don’t take returns of opened electrical items but to try anyway as sometimes people will do it!

SnackSizeRaisin · 20/07/2022 17:15

What is it and how much was it? Hardly outing

Hankunamatata · 20/07/2022 17:16

Slushy machine?

ThreeLittleDots · 20/07/2022 17:17

Just say it's not working

ThreeLittleDots · 20/07/2022 17:17

Or sell it on 'as new' for a discount

Original poster
Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:25

It's a lawnmower. It's a Bosch so I thought it'd be okay but even on the shortest setting it doesn't cut well at all. It's so flimsy. I'm scared if I say it's not working they'll test it . I'm disappointed really as I feel I've wasted my money. It wasn't a fortune but I could have got a much cheaper one that would have probably been the same or better

OP posts:
OooohAhhhh · 20/07/2022 17:26

Say it's faulty, they have to refund you

Original poster
Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:28

I wasn't sure of my rights in these circumstances. I mean you don't if anything is good until you try it but once you've tried it then it's used!

OP posts:
ThreeLittleDots · 20/07/2022 17:31

I'm scared if I say it's not working they'll test it

Tell them the truth, that it's not cutting the grass short enough as it claims to. The person handling the return won't care.

It may get tested further down the line (not sure), but there's no come back on you.

Just in case it'd be chucked in a skip, which would be a huge waste, I'd be more tempted to put it on FB Marketplace with a discount.

FOJN · 20/07/2022 17:35

It's terrible that you took it out of the box, mowed half the lawn and then it stopped working isn't it! You don't want a replacement because you no longer have confidence in the model or brand and don't have time to keep bringing mowers back, a refund will do.

This is what I'd go with.

justforthisnow · 20/07/2022 17:35

This happened me recently, I bought an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner from Argos that I didnt realise was battery operated until I opened the box (my fault). BUT it didnt clean the jewellery at all so I returned it as not fit for purpose and got a full refund. If the lawnmower isn't cutting the grass as it's expected to, surely you can return it?

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 20/07/2022 17:40

I am sure you have the right to return it within X amount of days even if it's not faulty.. It's 30 days at Argos, but that's because you can't see the item before purchasing (like in a catalogue/mail order...)

I am sure you have at least 7 days to change your mind. Just take it back and say 'it performs terribly and I am very unhappy, can I have a refund please, or store credit at least?'

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 20/07/2022 17:43

FOJN · 20/07/2022 17:35

It's terrible that you took it out of the box, mowed half the lawn and then it stopped working isn't it! You don't want a replacement because you no longer have confidence in the model or brand and don't have time to keep bringing mowers back, a refund will do.

This is what I'd go with.

Problem with this is they will very likely check it.

Something similar happened to someone I know - it was a hoover. It was pants. They took a fuse out the the plug and said when they plugged it in it didn't work. So when the store tried it out, BINGO it didn't work! You didn't hear that from me though, I'll deny it!!! Shock They said they have lost confidence in the product and would like a refund. They got it.

GiltEdges · 20/07/2022 17:44

Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:25

It's a lawnmower. It's a Bosch so I thought it'd be okay but even on the shortest setting it doesn't cut well at all. It's so flimsy. I'm scared if I say it's not working they'll test it . I'm disappointed really as I feel I've wasted my money. It wasn't a fortune but I could have got a much cheaper one that would have probably been the same or better

Well they’re not exactly going to whip it out and start mowing a lawn while you’re still stood there to test it are they?

so just say it’s faulty.

SparklingLime · 20/07/2022 17:48

Have a look here: Money saving Supermarket

FOJN · 20/07/2022 17:50

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 20/07/2022 17:43

Problem with this is they will very likely check it.

Something similar happened to someone I know - it was a hoover. It was pants. They took a fuse out the the plug and said when they plugged it in it didn't work. So when the store tried it out, BINGO it didn't work! You didn't hear that from me though, I'll deny it!!! Shock They said they have lost confidence in the product and would like a refund. They got it.

Show quote history

Thanks for the tip for future use 😀

I've never had a faulty appliance checked when I've returned it. I hope the OP would be safe with a lawnmower; health and safety would probably prevent them testing it at the customer service desk, although I would pay to see that.

NoGoodUsernamee · 20/07/2022 17:54

Well they’re not exactly going to whip it out and start mowing a lawn while you’re still stood there to test it are they?

🤣🤣🤣

’Just come outside madam to this patch of grass.’

I just can’t imagine over thinking this. Just take it back! Says it’s crap! You don’t have to lie, just say it’s not doing what I expected it to do, I want a refund. I can almost 100% guarantee they don’t care and will just refund you.

NoGoodUsernamee · 20/07/2022 17:55

Oh… & I have taken a fault hair dryer back to argos. It worked in the shop, but I said ‘well it didn’t work at home and no doubt will do it again so I’d like a refund.’ So they gave me a refund…

sunglassesonthetable · 20/07/2022 17:57

I would take it in and say that it's working but it's not cutting the grass well and it feels flimsy and you don't think " it's fit for purpose".
The truth basically.

The contract between you and the shop is that the item has to be "fit for purpose ".

It's not like you got to test the mower beforehand.

Wipe it down, put it back in the packaging as neatly as possible and have your receipt to hand.

Original poster
Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 18:30

Thanks everyone for the advice, and a good laugh Grin. I shall box it back up, tell them it's rubbish and return it tomorrow. I will report back.

OP posts:
Ladyof2022 · 20/07/2022 18:43

Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:25

It's a lawnmower. It's a Bosch so I thought it'd be okay but even on the shortest setting it doesn't cut well at all. It's so flimsy. I'm scared if I say it's not working they'll test it . I'm disappointed really as I feel I've wasted my money. It wasn't a fortune but I could have got a much cheaper one that would have probably been the same or better

They will NOT test it. Take it back in its original box and say it's not working.

Itsnotwhatitlookslike · 20/07/2022 18:51

It's a Bosch so I thought it'd be okay but even on the shortest setting it doesn't cut well at all

have you adjusted the roller height? It may be set on the highest setting.
My Bosch mower is 10+ years old and is brilliant. It’s just started making a funny noise so I was going to look for a new one as they no longer make my model. I don’t know what to do now.

Luidaeg · 20/07/2022 18:55

Firstshoes · 20/07/2022 17:25

It's a lawnmower. It's a Bosch so I thought it'd be okay but even on the shortest setting it doesn't cut well at all. It's so flimsy. I'm scared if I say it's not working they'll test it . I'm disappointed really as I feel I've wasted my money. It wasn't a fortune but I could have got a much cheaper one that would have probably been the same or better

Surely it's not fit for purpose

Swipe left for the next trending thread