Michael

That is what is called completion. If a company provides a better service than it's competitors at the same price, that company will likely get the business but if the company charges 20% more for their products because they provide a service that most customers won't use, the company will likely lose the business. Therefore companies try to be competitive but don't usually go overboard unless their business is aimed at a niche cliental that is willing to pay for exceptional service. Laws regulating what services must be provided for free are usually ineffective and hurt the smallest of businesses the most.

Michael

That is a problem with rebates since I don't know of any retailer that that will accept a product back without the original carton with the bar code since many manufacturers won't accept store returns unless in the original package with the bar code. What would have been a double whammy would have been if the company said they didn't receive the bar code and wouldn't send a rebate check which happens often since they often outsource that service.

However most manufacturers will accept returnss directly from the customer without the original packaging (only a purchase receipt) and will replace the product with a new one.

I bought a router from Fry's that I discovered wouldn't route to some web sites (probably a packet formation issue in the firmware that certain internet routers wouldn't pass through) and I threw away the original packaging before I discovered the problem. Fry's wouldn't take it back since I didn't have the original packaging. I also had a problem returning it to the manufacturer since all they would do would be to send me another one that also didn't work since they couldn't duplicate the problem when they tried with the same router (probably routed a different way across the internet).

hungryhorace

Software comes with no warranty.

Sure, why not? Many cars sold in Europe now comes with 100k mileage warranties.

That analogy doesn't work. Just because you paid more for a product than a competitor, doesn't mean you should expect it to be faulty.

hungryhorace

The Sales of Goods Act is fully enforced in the UK, I assure you.

hungryhorace

Just FYI - you don't need the packaging to return an item in the UK. If it is faulty, the retailer must refund you. End of.

Have a read: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sho...funds-exchange

kimilseung

I completely ignore mail in rebates when making a purchase decision. If I use it, it is an after sales bonus. But I compare products on what I have to hand over. The rebate is only money in your hand, when it is in your hand. One bad experience is enough for me to more or less ignore it as a marketing strategy.

Michael

So each product is different and the person enforcing the Sales of Goods Act has to know all the laws pertaining to different products. I thought the warranty in the UK didn't matter and the retailer was responsible to make sure the product they sold was of high quality and not defective. Bumper to bumper warranty for 100,000 miles no matter how badly the person maintains the car.
How many employees does the Sales of Good Act agency have to determine the law for each claim, answer phone calls, investigate claims, arbitrate claims, and to make a decision that the retailer was at fault and levy fines to make sure the retailer doesn't do it again?

Not all claims by consumers are legitimate. A consumer could knock over his TV and claim it was defective from the factory and the retailer gets blamed for not replacing that defective TV.

It appears the Sale of Goods Act is this very effective law that makes sure that all retailers understands every detail about every product and will honor all returns just because the customer claims the product is defective.

Must be nice living in paradise.

kimilseung

One good point concerning some of this has been years and years of information, the public is generally well informed about some of their rights. Consumer rights TV programming has over the years helped out. Just saying "Sales of Good Act" to a manager can get things moving a lot faster.

Uncle_Bob

I agree America seems to have plenty of marketing strategies that are best avoided. My favorite is layaway, its for idiots.

hoffage123

2 used for $1,000 though.

scrubbedexpat099

There is no Sales of Goods Act agency, so the answer is 0.

scrubbedexpat099

Me too.

Michael

When the "do not call" act was passed in the US, the bill imposed a fine of $10,000 for each unsolicited call and that scared the hell of telemarketing companies and they quit calling. Slowly they tested the waters again and discovered that the government doesn't have the staff to enforce the law so now the telemarketing companies aren't concerned about being fined. That's just human nature to ignore the law if it benefits the business or the consumer.

Michael

If there is no enforcement, why is the Sales of Good Act so important in the minds of the British? Is there a perception that that since there is a law, it makes consumers feel more comfortable?

scrubbedexpat099

Who said it was not enforced?

It works, I remember before and after. There are very few laws that I would suggest the US adopt, but that one and the Unfair Contract Terms Act would be two that come to mind.

I can think of loads that do not work.