Hah!
After my previous rant about the disgusting treatment Comet dished out after my brand new vacuum cleaner broke (see previous thread here) I took on board what everyone's suggestions.
I wrote a clear, calm, detailed letter and posted it, registered mail, to the MD of Comet telling him how I was treated, that I now wanted a full refund and that I expected a response within 10 days before I contacted various consumer authorities.
I got a letter from the MD's office within the week apologising and telling me to go back to the store for a full refund. (The store had previously refused to even replace the faulty parts.)
Which I did, with a big grin on my face. And I am now the proud owner of a shiny Henry Extra which I bought from Argos.
Victory feels so good. So if you are having problems with a manufacturer/supplier, my advice is to miss out the middle man. Take your complaint to the highest level. Stay calm, list your concerns clearly and methodically, don't use abusive speech, tell them exactly what you expect and by which date you expect it. Don't threaten them but tell them what you plan to do if they do not respond. I hope it works as well for you as it did for me.
Thanks for all your help on the other thread