If a customer aks us to obtain and supply goods for them, which involves mucho time running around finding things and researching stuff, what legal comeback do we have to charge for time spent doing this, if any????.
Normally yes but not always - in this particular case the customer asked me to obtain an electric fire (whilst I was sorting out her TV (digital switchover)) because they couldn't get it themselves (being elderly), and various relatives were away on business or recovering from surgery, so couldn't help. So I duly took time out to help being sympathetic to elderly people and duly supplied said item as specified by themselves. Customer uses product for a day then decides she doesn't like it and wants to return goods -"'its not the same as the old one (which she bought 40 years ago)". So she asked me to see if I could fix old one - surprisingly parts are not available, or source a different model more to her liking, so several hours spent on internet/ wholesalers and phoning manufacturers, for which I wasn't going to charge. Anyway, due to cutomer being hard of hearing I typed a letter pointing out that there is no alternative to the fire supplied,the old one can't be fixed and a service charge is applicable if returned (levelled by manufacturer not me) and could she let me know how she wishes to proceed. Next thing I'm getting letters from Age Concern stating that under legislation she has a right to cancel contract and return goods. Problem is the manufacturer was also contacted, and is refusing to re-stock item because it has been used, even if only for a day, which leaves me out of pocket to the tune ofYou would include that in your price - Surely?
Its the 7 day bit that they are quoting. But there are bits in the legislation about goods that can't be returned, and I would have thought that used electrical goods were covered by that???I'd write a polite letter back to the old lady and copy it to age concern detailing what you did and how you were trying to help her out at very little cost. Just calmly detailsing things as you have here might make her see sense and the favour you were doing her?As far as distance selling goes there is a 7 day cooling off period - Don't know if this applies if something is used?
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/buying_at_home/returning-cancelling/The trader has already started to provide the service within the cancellation period and you have agreed to this
yeah, but its supposed to be stated in writing headbangBeen doing a search and the right to cancel within 7 days is void if:http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/buying_at_home/returning-cancelling/
The fire was all of those things.If you have bought an electrical or gas appliance, it must be of satisfactory quality, fit for its purpose and as described.
This is what I should have done in the first place, but being the helpuful person I am, I ordered it through my wholsaler account. She still owes me for that anyway, which is why I was asking about legal rights for charging labour.cant you just issue the reciept for the goods and get her to return it her self? that way your only a collection and delivery service of goods? just charge for time collecting the item?
Tell me about it - I think this is a hard lesson learn't, and will put me off helping little old ladies ever again, leaving more opportunities for rogues. What is most concerning is that the legislation doesn't seem to allow for short notice work, basically it says we sholud not start any work for a week minimum, which doesn't help much with a lot of small domestic jobs like changing light fittings. I am most certainly not happy about it as it looks like I will be left out of pocket for trying to be helpfulUnder the doorstep selling regulations you are screwed,, unless you got her to sign a waiver to allow you to start work before the cooling period...Nave a look here
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/buying-selling/Doorstep-selling/FAQs/page29175.html
Enter your email address to join: