What would you do about this? ........

[zephyrcat]

I went into Woolworths a coupe of weeks ago looking for a cheap tape player. They had a Phillips midi-system reduced so I asked for it and they only had the display one left so I asked if they sold the display ones and they said of course. When she took it out of the cabinet it was obvious that something had been spilled over it. She took it to the couter and opened it up and it was absolutey filthy and covered in sticky crap. When she opened the cd lid, the little pin broke off where the spring had rusted. We both agreed she couldn't sell it so I said I'd try again when they got more.

A week or so later I went back and bought one. Again the display model as they had been 'flying off the shelves'. It looked fine so I bought it. Got it home, opened the cd lid and it didn't open properly. Looked inside and it was full of water and the pin was gone and the spring rusty...obviously it was the same one from before!! I was so shocked that they had just washed it - left it WET and re-sold it!!!

Took it back, told the woman that it had water in it etc and asked for a refund. I emailed Woolworths tro complain. No reply.

Went back to Woolies for something else yesterday. The SAME system is back on the shelf. Different woman so asked if it was for sale... "Yes of course" she said.

Surely they can't do that can they???

I'm not sure if this would help but a call to the Local Trading Standards people might help ?

In this particular case, you are talking about an electrical item and if, as you say, it is being sold (again and again) full of water, then there is quite obviously a safety risk when someone plugs it in.

It's not illegal for display goods to be "sold as seen" but a reputable retailer (which Woolworths would probably wish to describe themselves as) normally lists the faults so the customer knows exactly what they're getting (missing pin etc).

But in this case, what they're selling might be dangerous ..... so it shouldn't be for sale at all. There's either a serious attitude problem going on down there, or a serious case of ignorance. I was going to suggest asking to speak to the manager, but Trading Standards will probably have more effect and they won't be able to wriggle out of it as easily.

How about a little email to your local paper? They might find it amusing to send someone in and have a look if it's still there (will probably have been bought and returned 3 times by then!)

Trading standards and go buy one elsewhere!

It cannot be sold as new because it has been used, so it needs to be described as used. They are also obliged to list any faults with the item. If they are not doing this then they are breaking the law.

Thanks - wasn't sure if it was a TS thing or not. Def won't be buying it there again!!