Ideal World refuses refund under Sale of Goods Act

[Dragonmist]

I bought 2 Cube 247 PC's from Ideal World TV in Nov '06. #1 I set up just before Xmas for my Grandson who lives with me. It came without a special adapter for the power cable. Cube sent the part, but then it went wrong, and they told me to reformat. I could not as they had sent the wrong Motherboard disk. They sent a disk, and it worked OK for a few weeks, then died. Cube took it to repair it. When it didn't come back I phoned and was told they had lost it?! Later they found it, and sent it back packed upside down! Meanwhile I had a fall and broke a finger so could not set up my PC #2 nor build the new desk. It was March before I could do this. It seemed OK. Next day it wouldn't work. I was told by Cube to take off the side panel and reseat the RAM. I said I was disabled, but he told me that it would work. It didn't work. They said I had to pay a Courier to return it. Later that evening the PC #1 broke down again with an identical fault. Neither work. I have written and phoned many times. I did inform Ideal World that they were responsible under the Sale of Goods Act as I bought them through my membership account at Ideal World, and neither is fit for the purpose as 1 broke down twice in 4 months, and the other only worked for 1 day. I can't afford to do pay to return them. P&P wa �25 when I bought them. IW still refuse to do anything. I wrote stating I was rejecting both PC's and wanted a refund. They say they don't do refunds after 30 days and I must pursue it with Cube. I have been shopping with Ideal World since the 1st day they started on TV, and feel their treatment of me is shabby. Surely refusing to obey the Sale of Goods Act after 30 days is illegal and constitutes an Unfair Contract?

[CovKid]

Did you pay by credit card? If you did, call the card company; they may be responsible.

If you have clear evidence the equipment was faulty, you could try the small claims court.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/c laims/index.htm

It is easy to use.

I don't think they can pass you on to Cube. Your contract was with IW.

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/buying-selling /sale-supply/page8599.html

Good Luck

[CovKid]

A further thought. Send a recorded delivery letter to the company chairman. State your case and request a refund. Make it clear you intend to go to court (might send a copy of the completed court document) and set a clear deadline for reasonable response from him/her.

[Dragonmist]

Thanks CovKid. I have been trying to find out the name of the Company Chairman. I doubt he would see it otherwise. It used to be Paul Wright who started Ideal World TV, but I gather he is not the boss any more. I can't get any sensibe answers from Customer Services. They always deny that there is any management available, no matter what time of day or night you phone. [0870 number too). Emails are ignored. As a result of the Special Delivery letter I sent (�6 +)I have the names of two women , one from Customer Relations, the other describing herself as a Customer Relations Officer. Not that phoning either of them did any good. Going to Court would be very difficult for me as it requires a bus and train journey, then a long walk to get there. I have enough trouble managing the bus and train. let alone the walk. It would cost over �20 by taxi.

[THECORBYLOON]

Ideal World is owned by Ideal Shopping Direct PLC and I've found the names of some of the bigwigs of that company on a 2007 trading statement so it should be up-to-date

Jim Hodkinson, Chairman
Andrew Fryatt, CEO
Mike Camp, Finance Director

so it may be worthwhile asking for them.

[Dragonmist]

CovKid, unfortunately I paid by Debit Card. I had never had a problem with getting refunds or replacements from IW before. It would have to be my biggest purchase that went sour. S*d's law I suppose.

Corbyloon you're a gem. I spent ages trying to find out who I should address my complaint to. The Customer Complaints lot refused t tell me! I wonder why?
I'll send copies to all 3 of the beggars.
If my husband made a complaint he got immediate responses from everywhere. Now it's down to me and I get fobbed off at every turn. My daughter got quoted �500 for a car repair. My Son-in-Law took it in and got charged �340.
I think I shoul change my name to Bert!

[Oneeyedvic]

Paul Wright is still a director of the company (since 1991) - his home address (which is public information since they are registered as a company) is: 15 Warren Bridge, Stoke Doyle Road Oundle, Peterborough. PE8 4DQ.

Jmaes Hodkinson was appointed a director in 2004 and his home address is: 29B Western Avenue, Branksome Park, Poole. Dorset. BH13 7AN.

I find writing polite letters to director's home addresses concentrates the mind somewhat!

On the basis that they have a net worth of over �16 million, I would pursue it further!

[Dragonmist]

Oneeyedvic, you have made my day.
Paul Wright is a non-executive Director now, whatever that means? I don't know if he will be any help now. He is still aparently the largest shareholder though.
Trading Standards have been totally useless. You all have given me more useful advice in a few days than I got from them in weeks. XXX