Paying for a new computer and receiving a used one instead.

nc73, i think you're missing the point. If you have a contract to buy something that is new and unused and it turns out to be second hand, the contract is breached and you are entitled to demand your money back or specific performance of the contract.  You might be happy to delete, reformat or whatever but not everyone would be, especially if they had to pay someone else to do it.  Plus, I don't know if you have children, but I'd be pretty damned annoyed if I turned on a new PC in front of my child only to find a load of porn files. Not to mention what are you going to do if, say, the police trace illegal material to this computer which you spposedly bought new?? So I can understand the OP's friend being annoyed.

Here's the update....

After a bit of fighting on her part, they have finally agreed to replace it.  Those links really helped; she had to call them back 3 or 4 times, and each time they said they would have a tech person call her back.  Nobody would call her back, so she'd call them, and it went in circles for a bit.  When she finally got a call back from a tech person, he tried telling her it had nothing to do with Argos and she needed to take it up with the laptop manufacturer.  She had one of the links open on her desktop pc, and started quoting it to the guy.  He got flustered and said he'd have to have a supervisor call her back.  She told him if they weren't going to call back within the hour not to bother, they should just have someone from their legal department get in touch with her

So, about 10 minutes later, a supervisor called back and said they would replace it, but she needed to ship the laptop back to them first, at her own expense.  She pretty much told them where they could stick it, so now they are going to pick up the old pc/deliver the new one tomorrow, at their expense.

Good for her for standing her ground! And I'm glad they're cooperating, even if it is reluctantly.

I just dont understand how Argos could even argue this!   

I just dont understand how Argos could even argue this!   

No kidding!! I went in there this summer, looking for a coffee maker. I wasn't aware how their system worked. I was looking through the catalogue which was frankly, way too much. I can't see myself returning there, unless it's just some deal "that can't be beat."

I can't see myself returning there, unless it's just some deal "that can't be beat."

Unfortunately, that's often the case. When I first moved to England my friend told me to go there to get the basics (drying rack, etc). She warned me that it's the most depressing, soul-sucking store. She was definitely right!

Unfortunately, that's often the case. When I first moved to England my friend told me to go there to get the basics (drying rack, etc). She warned me that it's the most depressing, soul-sucking store. She was definitely right!

I feel the same way! But it is good for basic household stuff - especially if you live out in the middle of nowhere without other big shops. I've bought lots of little things there, but never anything as pricey as a computer. I mean, they can't really go wrong with towel rails, can they?? 

I really wish I lived somewhere that had more shopping choices!  It can be good for basics, but even those get screwed up.  A couple of years ago, DD was in a play group that had this wee plastic slide for toddlers and DD LOVED it.  The playgroup had gotten it at Argos, so I ran to get one.  I got it home and saw that the slide was covered in muddy footprints and was missing the little steps that you climbed up.  Unfortunately, if you're on a tight budget around here, your choices are pretty limited.  Not a big variety of shops (Derry's not very big yet it has THREE Argos stores ) and so many places either don't deliver to NI or they charge an arm and a leg for it.

I'm so glad your friend didn't give up Petunia! I really try not to shop there any more unless I can't get the thing anywhere else because of all the hassles I've had with them in the past. (NB: If you boycott Argos, make sure you boycott Homebase as well, it's the same company). 

(NB: If you boycott Argos, make sure you boycott Homebase as well, it's the same company). 

I didn't know that! And what a shame! It would be no hardship boycotting Argos, but I have a big crush on Homebase! 

I was going to buy a digital photo frame from there for my daughter for christmas. When I went to pay I was told that it wasnt able to be returned unless there was a fault. I said it was a Christmas present, what if my daughter received 2 digital photo frames. They said they 'might' take it back, it was up to the manager. I chose not to buy it!

I was going to buy a digital photo frame from there for my daughter for christmas. When I went to pay I was told that it wasnt able to be returned unless there was a fault. I said it was a Christmas present, what if my daughter received 2 digital photo frames. They said they 'might' take it back, it was up to the manager. I chose not to buy it!

See, that's no way to run a shop really! I know I've got my American view of typical customer service policies (and I've heard it can be very different in the UK). I did have a really good experience with Curry's this summer. I bought an ipod cover there- maybe £20? Something like that. Anyway, the shop person told me it would fit my old video ipod, but it turned out it didn't once I left the shop and tried to use it! I had opened the package and everything. I tried to repackage, but it wasn't perfect. And they took it back no problems. Refunded me right there. I will return to Curry's based on this experience!

See, that's no way to run a shop really! I know I've got my American view of typical customer service policies (and I've heard it can be very different in the UK). I did have a really good experience with Curry's this summer. I bought an ipod cover there- maybe £20? Something like that. Anyway, the shop person told me it would fit my old video ipod, but it turned out it didn't once I left the shop and tried to use it! I had opened the package and everything. I tried to repackage, but it wasn't perfect. And they took it back no problems. Refunded me right there. I will return to Curry's based on this experience!

This is also another good example of where statutory rights in England and Wales under the sale of goods act are on your side:

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/know-your-rights/SGAknowyourrights/

"In addition to being fit for their every day purpose goods should be fit for any specific purpose you agreed with the seller at the time of sale"

I think too many people in this country just put up with some of the crap some stores like to put out including fobbing people off to the manufacturer of an item which is one reason why service is poorer in the UK. These are statutory rights! Don't put up with it!

David.

Probably, but it wouldn't have had the same impact.   

Yuck. Consider me impacted.