Is Paul taking things too far?

[raindropsies]

I have been asked by him to pose the following situation, as I think it's a bit too far for what it cost, but Paul says it's more the principle & attitude of the shop that made him escalate things.

This is what happened.

We ran out of elastic bands, so Paul went out and brought some from a local shop as we needed them for some stock (trading cards)

Now he brought some, and every elastic band (except 2) snapped/broke when he tried to put them around the trading cards , about 20 at a time (4 packets of elastic bands in total)

Now as they did not do the job that was expected, ( I think everyone would expect an elastic band to be "elastic")

So he took them back to the shop wanting a refund as they had no more.

Shops reply was that "they have been opened and cannot offer a refund" Paul then told them about the item not being fit for purpose (eg elastic) but they basically said tough there is nothing you can do.

No this annoyed Paul, and has now taken it to trading standards today.

I know the money amount is not much (£1.40 total) but Paul said its the principle and attitude that made him go to trading standards.
Trading standards have now got the items and are going to "communicate" with the store that sold the items.

So do you think that what Paul has done is OTT or would you have done the same. Please be honest with your replies

[FairMaiden]

I have the same trouble with knickers

Yes, I think he has gone over the top reporting it to TS but its so easy to do that. The shops are so snotty sometimes. I believe in customers always right, so refund especially £1.40

I think I would of sent the bands off with a letter of complaint to the manufacturer

[bykimbo]

I wouldn't have reported just one problem of that scale. It would have taken a repeat problem for me to take it further.

[damian_steele]

No, it isn't OTT. Why should shops get away with taking someone's money and telling them to get stuffed afterwards? Too many places think they can just rip people off. Perhaps if more people stood up to people like these, then maybe there'd be fewer of them trying to stiff us?

Good on 'im!

[JanetB]

I agree with Paul on this one.

It doesn't matter what the price of an item is.

How many other shoddy/faulty goods have this store sold to other customers and got away with it?

They have made their money/profit and the customer is out of pocket and broken item.

Perhaps that is why the shop behaved the way they did because they have got away with it until Paul showed up.

About time someone stood their ground and report the sloppy shop.

Well done Paul!

x

[bykimbo]

I agree with Paul on this one.

It doesn't matter what the price of an item is.

How many other shoddy/faulty goods have this store sold to other customers and got away with it?

The problem I have with the situation, on the basis of the information we have, is that the answer to that as far as we know is "none". We don't know of a single other example of them doing this. I'd want to know that it was their normal behaviour before bringing down TS on them.

If they'd done it more than once with me, or friends said they'd had the same problem, I'd do something about it. But every dog gets one bite as far as I'm concerned*.

*Up to a price limit, probably.

[smiffy49er]

I agree with Paul too.

They may have been old stock and become brittle.

Good on you Paul

[ladynuttiepig]

on xmas day my boy who was about 5 0r 6 ,gave me a blade
<stanly blade >
kid was ok as he had a head on and gave to me

[FairMaiden]

I agree with Paul too.

They may have been old stock and become brittle.

Good on you Paul

Just dont go there for your condoms

[smiffy49er]

Just dont go there for your condoms

Good thinking