Enforcing consumer rights
Posted: Fri 27 Jan 2017 04:37
In the spring of 2015, I had to replace the pressure tank (ballon vessie) of our water system. The new one has just developed a split in the outer metal case and is consequently useless.
The retailer agrees that it should not have failed but says that the guarantee is only for 12 months.
EU directive 1999/44/EC is pretty clear that a minimum guarantee of 2 years is required by law. I am not naive enough to believe that quoting an EU directive to them will suddenly result in a replacement, so I have told my handyman to go ahead and buy a replacement but I am in the mood for a battle and will seek reimbursement from the shop.
I am not looking for advice on how to document the issue or how to communicate with the shop but would like to know who to complain to when consumer rights are not honoured.
In the UK I would probably start with Trading Standards but I have no idea who to contact here.
I realise that I am probably tilting at windmills but fancy having a go.
I have just won a battle with Honda France where their local distributor and representative tried to tell me that Europe-wide warranty wasn't valid in France so I am spoiling for a fight.
Any advice or acerbic comments will be greatly appreciated.
The retailer agrees that it should not have failed but says that the guarantee is only for 12 months.
EU directive 1999/44/EC is pretty clear that a minimum guarantee of 2 years is required by law. I am not naive enough to believe that quoting an EU directive to them will suddenly result in a replacement, so I have told my handyman to go ahead and buy a replacement but I am in the mood for a battle and will seek reimbursement from the shop.
I am not looking for advice on how to document the issue or how to communicate with the shop but would like to know who to complain to when consumer rights are not honoured.
In the UK I would probably start with Trading Standards but I have no idea who to contact here.
I realise that I am probably tilting at windmills but fancy having a go.
I have just won a battle with Honda France where their local distributor and representative tried to tell me that Europe-wide warranty wasn't valid in France so I am spoiling for a fight.
Any advice or acerbic comments will be greatly appreciated.