Currys defective goods - Pursue complaint with retailer or claim under section 75 on credit card?

[praying4good]

Hi All,

 

I made an online purchase for a premium hotpoint washing washing machine that cost nearly £600 including a whatever happens cover.

 

Goods arrived Wednesday 19th June, I have encountered nothing but problems since hence I am seeking advice.

 

Background - The washing machine strives on it's anti stain technology feature which I put to the test the very day of delivery

after running the first wash cycle on auto clean mode as per instructions in manual guide.

I used fairy washing powder and found after the cycle had ended the clothes were still stained.

 

Perplexed as to why this had happened I set about purchasing a more stronger detergent as I thought Fairy was quite mild.

 

The next wash I used persil liquid tabs that were placed directly in the drum,

this time after the cycle had ended not only did the clothes have the pre washing stains but it also now had new additional stains

from the liquid tablet which looked like blue watermarks on the coloured clothing.

 

I rang currys and encountered a long catalogue of blunders with customer service until eventually

an call out was made for an engineer to come out and inspect the machine.

 

I originally wanted a refund but I was told that the machine had to be diagnosed and fault found before a refund/exchange is offered.

 

Fast forward to when engineer arrived and this is when my real problem started

- Engineer asked me to demonstrate how I would start a wash cycle.

 

I explained I only used fairy washing powder once but have been using the liquid tablet which I place directly in the drum.

 

I thought I would demonstrate both methods; however when I started placing the washing powder in the soap dispenser

he corrected me immediately to say I used the wrong compartment.

 

Ok fault admitted, I inserted the washing powder in the wrong place.

 

So soap dispenser was taken out and rinsed thoroughly.

 

Next I showed how I would use the liquid tablets in the drum which I did correctly and he told me to start a program.

 

Once program had started engineer stated he thinks the problem should be fixed now as he believes it was a user error.

 

Hang on I said "what about my ruined clothing which was as a result of correctly using the liquid tablet in the drum"?

 

His response was it must have got trapped in the drum somewhere which shouldn't happen again.

 

in total he spent 15 minutes from arrival to finish and went away as he had other jobs.

 

Fuming that he did not return to review the wash cycle

 

I called Currys and experienced their rubbish service again about how to wait after wash cycle ends and check to see if clothes are still stained.

 

Two hours later the verdict was in - as expected clothes had been ruined again.

 

So back on the phone to Currys and again another encouter with an unhelpful member of staff who spoke to Hotpoint.

 

Hotpoint claim as no fault was found and it was user error,

I need to run the machine on auto clean mode so that it can get rid of any residue which was as a result of misuse.

 

Fine, I hang up and run the machine as per instructions on auto clean a good few times. The results after adding more dirty laundry - the same as before.

 

At the end of my tether I wrote a letter with pictures of ruined and dirty stained clothing

and emailed head office highlighting my concerns and requesting a refund under SOGA as goods are not as described in product specification and are not fit for purpose.

 

Currys called me today apologising for my experience but explained that they still need an engineer to inspect the machine again

as last engineer found no fault and placed blame on user error.

 

The representative used this excuse to his full advantage despite dismissing my claims that I have given Currys every opportunity to rectify the problem

and also implemented their suggestions of running the machine on auto clean mode to counteract any build up residue from the first cycle.

 

Furthermore he quoted me SOGA by saying I need to give them a chance to repair the problem before a refund could be issued.

 

He was very insisted and even wanted to try and arrange an independent engineer to come out at my expense.

 

I outrightly refused to pay for the engineer call out.

 

I am now awaiting to hear from him again as I asked what the protocol would be if I did allow another engineer to inspect the machine

as I do not want to find that like the last engineer they disappear again after a short while without viewing the end result.

 

Phew that was long!

 

Ok so now I need to know where do I stand with this legally?

 

Do I follow up Curry's suggestions and pass from pillar to post with no expected result in sight

or do I contact my credit card company and ask to put in a claim under section 75?

 

I have only had the machine for less than a month and have all the photographic evidence, letters and call logs as evidence to prove my case

however I need to know where I stand legally.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you

[dx100uk]

currys first under SOGA

 

then if they wont play ball

 

section 75

[dx100uk]

oh and reclaim the USELESS ins

 

you don't need it

 

dx