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Thread ID: 80412	2007-06-22 00:44:00	Consumer Rights Question - hot fridge!	allblack (6574)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
561531	2007-06-22 03:32:00	It's not a serious fault. It's like a hole in the windscreen washer bottle of a car. A sump plug dropping out because it wasn't tightened might cause a serious fault in a car. They both cause fluid loss. ;) A regassed refrigerator is as good as new. It might be better because the refill won't be done on an assembly line.	Graham L (2)
561532	2007-06-22 10:55:00	I bought a F & P fridge from Noel Leemings 3 May (this year) . With a 5-year extended warranty . Got back from 5 days away last Monday and it had died . I'd be asking for a full replacement . IMHO a failure that quickly and that substantial is sufficient for you to reject the goods . You do have that right so if the retailer won't play ball, phone F&P and have a serious chat . After cleaning it out and taking all the freezer contents to the tip, I'd be seeking compensation for the value of the lost goods too, as consequential damages . Make your claim and stand your ground, but keep it polite and use reason not emotion to carry the argument . As for Graham's comment that it's not a serious fault, I think it's time he changed planets . A total failure and loss of gas at one month is roughly equivalent to the gearbox falling out of a new car within 1000km . Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
561533	2007-06-22 11:25:00	I'd be asking for a full replacement . IMHO a failure that quickly and that substantial is sufficient for you to reject the goods . You do have that right so if the retailer won't play ball, phone F&P and have a serious chat . I'd be seeking compensation for the value of the lost goods too, as consequential damages . Make your claim and stand your ground, but keep it polite and use reason not emotion to carry the argument . As for Graham's comment that it's not a serious fault, I think it's time he changed planets . A total failure and loss of gas at one month is roughly equivalent to the gearbox falling out of a new car within 1000km . Cheers Billy 8-{) If it was a gearbox, they would usually repair it . VW polos are well know for their gearboxes failing once, even twice during the 3 year warranty period . Certainly I agree that they should be compensated for the lost food, however I think fixing it would be an acceptable solution, as long as the retailer handles it all, including taking all the food out of the loan fridge and putting it into the new one, which is also a time consuming excercise . If they won't do that, then demand a new fridge, as it would be less hassle .	rogerp (6864)
561534	2007-06-22 12:21:00	I am in the appliance industry (well, it's one thing I do) and I would deem it to be a "serious fault". The gas does not just suddenly leak out of a near new fridge. Something hasn't been brazed properly on the production line, or a hole has developed in the system (condenser, evaporator etc). Either way, it's not a minor fault (like for example the door handle falling off). You have the right to choose what you want done. In this case I would ask for a replacement. You also have the right under the CGA to claim for the lost food. It is a "consequential loss" and quite claimable. Noel Leeming is an established outfit and reasonably good to deal with. Take your case to them, and be firm but polite. Any mention of the CGA or making a phone call to the Commerce Commission usually has them burning rubber to sort your problem out.	supertrouper (6665)
561535	2007-06-22 22:14:00	The below would be what I would deem a minor-ish problem... Our receptionist at work recently bought a refridgerator/freezer from Harvey Norman that was frost-free. However within a few months it started to frost up. Harvey Norman did try to fix the problem once, when it reoccurred they gave her a full refund. Isn't loss of food caused by an appliance you own covered under household insurance? I would ask for a new unit personally	Myth (110)
561536	2007-06-22 23:01:00	Thanks guys...comments appreciated. Apart from a quick phone call to NL, I've been dealing with Total Appliances, whom I assume is a service crowd NL outsource repairs to. Total Appliances have been good thus far....I'm assuming they have tendered for and won a service contract that they don't want to lose!!! They are also the authorised F & P service agents. I'm going to push for a new fridge. Should I harrass Noel Leemings, or go straight to the F & P Customer Care line and go from there? I'm not keen to drag NL into this, as they just sold the product. I don't hold them responsible for the quality of the product. Thoughts? Thanks again. :thumbs:	allblack (6574)
561537	2007-06-22 23:05:00	Isn't loss of food caused by an appliance you own covered under household insurance? It usually is, but there should be no presumption or requirement that the customer has this insurance, such claims also have excesses and can affect policy premiums in the future. The existence or otherwise of insurance should not enter into the discussions, household insurance cover is not a substitute for a retailers obligations.	godfather (25)
561538	2007-06-22 23:14:00	I'm not keen to drag NL into this, as they just sold the product. I don't hold them responsible for the quality of the product. Thoughts? Thanks again. :thumbs: I think under consumer protection legislation the retailer who sold you the product is responsible for sorting out the problem. In any case, if I were you I'd wait and see what happens with this re-filled fridge - it may work better than it did when you originally bought it.	somebody (208)
561539	2007-06-22 23:26:00	Nothing new - just that I agree with some other corespondents. Your house insurance will cover you for the loss of food (assuming you have insurance of course). And I would certainly prefer the repaired device rather than a new one. Repairs are done by skilled qualified tradesmen who very often just cannot ignore poor workmanship and will quickly check other features. I have found over the last 50 or so years many occasions when a skilled tradesman has done me a favour. The production staff can be be very good but alas they also often use shoddy lazy uncaring labour. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
561540	2007-06-22 23:39:00	Thanks guys...I'm not keen to drag NL into this, as they just sold the product. I don't hold them responsible for the quality of the product. Thoughts? Thanks again. :thumbs: N/L are your point of contact with the supply chain, they have the greatest margin in the entire process, and part of their justification for their margin is the cost of support. Since you have already paid them to support the product, why not involve them? (Especially their tender nether regions in the event of dispute.) Look on your guarantee as a bet, you bet it will break, they bet it won't. The fridge broke, they lost the bet, so they pay. Insurance is similar, but don't try to win any bets with your life insurance company.	R2x1 (4628)
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