This was my response from Comet Dear Mr/Ms Hood, Thank you for your e-mail about your recent purchase. If you buy a product from one of our stores and later decide that you do not want it, you can return it for a full refund, or exchange it for an alternative product, providing that the item is returned as new and in the original packaging. If an item has been opened or removed from the original packaging, we will not accept it back. As your microwave had been opened, unfortunately we would not accept it back. All Comet stores are instructed to adhere to the terms and conditions of our refund and exchange policy. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience that you may have been caused and I am sorry that I am unable to assist you any further with this matter. Regards, Adam Spencer Comet Customer Services

Cheers , I'm thinking of cutting my losses and re-selling the oven at a loss . I reckon there may be ways around it but I can't be bothered with the agravation ! I might fire them off an email before I sell , but I don't hold out much hope . They don't seem to be bothered about customer service . Like you say another lost customer for Comet ! Geoff

Thanks for the advice so far . Can anybody point me in the right direction for goods returned under the Distance Selling Regs ? Also does anyone know if reserving online and collecting in-store is covered by these ? I believe it is but I'd like it confirmed . Cheers Geoff

Comet don't make it easy to find their returns policy on the internet . It took me a while but I found this Store Purchases Brand new & still sealed in its box, bring it back with your receipt within 7 days of purchase and we’ll credit you with a gift card or offer you a full refund. Sorry, we can’t accept any products that have been opened, or returned with missing parts: remote controls, instructions etc. Damaged Goods, If you discover any signs of damage, please don’t use the product – just contact us immediately. Online and Telephone Purchases For goods purchased on line or via telephone you have 7 days from the date of delivery in which to return goods - as well as the above options. Portable products must be returned to the local store to arrange a refund. If you need to arrange collection of a large product, please Click Here to email us with your details. Pretty clear as regards a store purchase - but does this mean an online purchaser could return an item even if it were opened ? Currys state they definitely do this in line with Distance Selling Regs . I wouldn't expect Comet to honour a Currys policy but what does the reg state ? I've been looking and found it pretty confusing , If an online buyer can return an opened purchase I see a possible solution Geoff

Cheers for a quick response . I'll check out those signatures . Unfortunately I paid by debit card . Normally I probably would have used a credit card but I was made redundant today and I am trying not to use credit facilities . I have a credit card just for online and purchases like this but I guess I was a bit preoccupied . I genuinely expected to have no problem returning such a purchase especially as I feel ill advised by the salesman but it was obvious by their attitude upon my return that consumers are often caught out in this way and their policy is designed to take advantage of the unwary . You really expect to be able to trust a national retailer of this size . Just to rub it in the oven was reduced in price today by a further £25 and means I have little chance of being able to re-sell the oven for anywhere near the price I paid ! Geoff

As you are asking about refund & exchange problems . I 'd like to share my experience . I've just bought a Combination Microwave from Comet . Immediately upon opening the carton I spotted a huge fan unit sticking out the back of the microwave oven . We didn't even remove it from the box . A quick check with a tape measure revealed it was at least 6 inches too deep for the shelf . This fan unit wasn't visible on the display model & there was no measurements on the box or warning by the salesman that the unit was of unusual depth . Although the refund policy is displayed in the store and on the receipt , at no time was I warned that opening the box would mean I would be unable to return the oven ! I had even noticed a reduced oven nearby on the same shelf which had obviously been returned with visible cooking stains inside the oven ! I returned the oven less than 24hrs later to be told they would not exchange or refund an opened item and referred to Head Office who confirmed their policy . A quick search of the internet has revealed that Comet have operated this No Return policy for several years and there are numerous complaints online. Mad as it seems , if I had bought the item online or via telephone and collected in store they would refund or replace the oven . Walking in the store and buying an item from the shelf means you can only return a faulty or unopened item ! It certainly appears that Comet have no regard for their customers and a Customer Service Dept that is a contradiction in terms ! I have learned an expensive lesson and Comet have lost a customer forever but I'm pretty sure they could care less ! Geoff