Should I be annoyed or not?

[Steve_N]

I just can't decide whether to get arsey or not - sometimes it's just too much trouble - which obviously retailers can exploit. I'd be grateful for the forum's opinion.

I bought a PLB (EPIRB) from a well-known online chandlery. The PLB is the only one on the market with a user-replaceable battery, although Sartech recommend that you do not replace it yourself but pay an extra £20 to have the PLB tested after battery replacement.

So it arrives in a box marked clearly on the base 'Battery Expiry 0312'.
But the battery supplied is a). loose in the box and not even attached to the PLB and b). expiry date 0411.

I contacted the manufacturer who has confirmed that the PLB is supplied as a complete, tested unit with battery fitted.

So, while I can understand the retailer's POV in that they wish to sell the oldest battery first etc.., do you think that they are going too far here by having some oik dismantle the stock, or would you consider that OK?

All opinions gratefully received.

 

[stevebrassett]

I'd send it straight back.

 

[MoodySabre]

So would I.

 

[DinghyMan]

Me too - not as described on the box.

Also raises a question if manufacturer reckon they should check it after battery refit then you, if you accepted it, have an immediate additional cost.

 

[ccscott49]

Straight back it goes!!! Something smells of halibut!

 

[aidancoughlan]

yep, send it back.
Apart from the date issue how do you know it's working ok if they've dismantled it...

 

[CPD]

I bought a PLB recently and was happy to see it apparently solidly constructed, battery attached etc etc and apparently fit for immediate use. If it is a clear and obvious repair, then I would probably tighten the screw and get on with it. However that would still leave the lingering, is it, isnt it, and on that basis, I would send it back. If a screw is loose on an MFI cupboard hen the cupboard might collapse. You cant take that risk with your bit of kit. Not that your plb would collapse, but you get the picture. Speech too long. Going now /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

 

[clyst]

Which on-line chandlery did you buy it from Steve?? BTW I agree with the majority send it right back .

 

[Steve_N]

Thanks all - looks conclusive so far. I'm sure you know how it is sometimes: technically I've lost only a year's battery life and that's not a big issue, but the point is that surely they shouldn't be dismantling PLBs and swapping batteries around to suit their stock position.

It will be going back - unless there are any contrary opinions out there?

 

[Steve_N]

Not a million miles from Port Solent.

 

[clyst]

Yopu will have to be more precise than that Steve Im a cornish boy . /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[mandlmaunder]

go on tell just so we're more discerning
SEND IT BACK and insist on postal cost refund as the unit was supplied 'not fit for purpose' or you'll tell your friends.

 

[smiala]

get arsey,

you bought a 'new item', sounds second hand to me.

Ask for discount on a new item, if they refuse then return.

Most things bought on internet are covered by a goods act that allow you to send back within 7days, though some companies never mention this.

As an aside Argos ( and no way i working for them or been bought a drink ) are very good at this internet customer service, and offer 30 days ! as long as you send back in top condition.

 

[DinghyMan]

Regs are Distance Selling Regulations and effect almost all sales done over the internet/telephone, etc. There are several exceptions - made to order is one. A lot of companies ignore these regs or tell you that you have less rights.

 

[Thistle]

Send it back. Complain strongly to the chandlery and copy the complaint to the manufacturer.

 

[oldharry]

'New' means just that. As supplied by the manufacturer. Its not 'new' in any sense if the case has been opened and a part removed.

Distance selling Regs, then trading Standards if they dont exchange it.

Did you use Plastic to buy it? If so the credit card company has some liability for goods 'not as decribed' - get in touch with them.

The unit is unuseable as supplied to you as it requires further testing to ensure it works, on makers say-so, so the unit supplied is unfit for its purpose and therefore not of merchandisable quality.

 

[BrendanS]

totally agree with this being best practise.

 

[PeterGibbs]

As we read it, the distributor has removed the factory installed battery for its own purposes and tossed in a battery of lesser life - you presume to move on its dating supply of batteries?

What did the manufacturer say to this practice? In my view totally unacceptable and a breach of the distributor's responsibility to the manufactuer, over which he would no doubt have something harsh to say.

Possibly the fault of a stock room despatcher in the distributor, but I never blame the workers, only the bosses who fail to set down standards and ensure they are adhered to.

Gounds for getting arsey? Not at this stage, but absolutely insistent: for your 3 figure outlay you deserve nothing less than what the manufacturer printed on the box. Go to the top of the tree at the distributor, tell him this requires immediate action to replace the despatched item with a factory fresh pack, untampered with. Failure to comply should be met with "we can do this the hard way or the other way..." report immediately to the manufacturer, and to your local trading standards officer.

Oh, and let us all know who the distributor is.....unless pressure is applied to these slappy/happy operators, of which there are too many in the marine business, nothing will ever improve.

PWG

 

[RestlessL]

I would be livid.

The main reason I chose the MT401 epirb was the 6 year battery life. If the end date was anything earlier that 2013 I would expect this to be made clear, and a discount offered.

 

[martinriches]

Could it be that there is a battery fitted and the one lose in the box found it's way in there somehow.