Do you think I'm entitled to a refund on a battery powered toothbrush I bought from Tesco?

Question

I bought one and in order for it to function, I had to open the bottom of the toothbrush (to insert the batteries which were included) with a coin. I and my mum tried every which way we could to get the d**n thing open and I nearly dislocated my thumb! I decided to take it back to Customer Service at Tesco and asked them for a refund. I got no reply and she disappeared out the back and I noticed she managed to get it open herself with a coin. I said,"Well, can you close it now and do it again, to make sure". However, whilst she was doing so, the head of the brush touched the dirty desk and phone and I said, "Well, I can't use it now, it’s touched everything”. She said, “But there’s nothing wrong with it”. So, I was left without a refund. What do you think?

Answer 1

That's rubbish! The customer's always right.

If you're not happy with a product, you have the right to take it back and get a refund.

Answer 2

You could of taken the head off of the toothbrush before you gave it to her. If the product is faulty you can get your money back but as for the head getting dirty i dont think so.

Answer 3

Hi poopsy,

Tesco are very poor and urgently need the profit from the toothbrush - they may even go bankrupt if they gave you a refund. ha ha.

Don't they make you pewk when they bicker over such a small item?

You stick to your guns and demand your maney back and then take your business elsewhere.

Report them to Trading Standards on the grounds that the goods are not 'fit for purpose' - if you can't get the cap on or off IT DONT WORK

Answer 4

Oh, dear....

Do you have an opposable digit? Can be handy is such situations.

As for it touching the desk 'phone - don't be so ridiculous. Rinse it off.

Answer 5

Thats bad customer service, take it up with the general manager.

Answer 6

Yes you're entitled to a refund. If the shop wont do it, the write in and complain..

That said.. don't you think you're being just a little bit pedantic about the "touching the disk and phone" thing? Just run it under a hot tap for 30 seconds.

Answer 7

yes and don't let them say other wises they ow you

Answer 8

im not sure you can really, if you have already used it. If you hadnt, you could have said it was a poor design and asked for a refund. And if you went back now, you cant prove: "the head of the brush touched the dirty desk and phone ", you would ahve been better not leaving at that point until it had been resolved or asked to speak to a higher member of staff.

i hope this helps

Answer 9

In tesco you can get a refund for it not meeting your needs, i took a printer back yesterday because when i got it home it didn't match my computer they refunded me without question.

They clearly state in store you have up to 30 days from purchase to bring it back for a no quibble refund. So i would go back and demand a one, the person you dealt with is a jobs worth.

Answer 10

That's not cool at all. You should have got a refund. What you should do is write a letter to Tesco saying you are not very satisfied. OR you can even write a letter to the toothbrush maker and tell them your story. I know it might feel like you won't hear back, but it will feel better to get it out.

I just did that a few weeks ago with a bag of crisps I bought. They were brand new and when I opened the bag they were all old tasting. So I sent a letter saying I wasn't happy with it and they sent me a coupon for £4 to buy a new bag and a "We are sorry" letter.

So you never know!

Answer 11

While I think you have a moral right to a refund, legally you must show that the toothbrush was not fit for purpose, which may be difficult. I certainly would not wish to use a tooth brush that had touched a desk but Tesco will argue that you could rinse it in disinfectant thus avoiding any risk of infection.

I used to buy items for 'stock' when they were cheap in Tesco but I found much of the time when I came to use them they failed after a short time. I took this up with both the branch and Head Office, with little satisfaction so now I shop at Tesco only when it is inconvenient to go elsewhere.

You will spend much more in time than you will recover in value so hit Tesco where it hurts -shop at Sainsburys, Morrisons or Waitrose.

EDIT: jus curious said 'send it back to the manufacturer of the toothbrush'

What a ridiculous suggestion. The customer's contract is with Tesco and her statutory rights are against the retailer, who in the case of Tesco is almost certainly to be the company that imported the goods into the EU. Return to the manufacturer who is probably in China - the carriage will probably be as much as the retail price.

Answer 12

You did deserve a refund. Most people would have offered you a replacement at least. You should go back and talk to the manager about it. If you have no luck boil water and pour it over the brush that will remove any germs.

Answer 13

You were unhappy with a product.

Therefore as long as you have the receipt tesco have to refund you.

Thats their guidelines.

Go in and try again, if it doesnt work, call for the manager =]

Answer 14

I think that you exhausted a customer service rep that wasn't to blame when you got what you paid for....

I beg to differ with A LOT of these comments here... The customer is not always right. The customer that wants to throw little fits and needs someone to blame- needs to take it up with someone that gets paid enough to kiss their butt. If you've got that little control in your life that you need to run mine,  I may be willing to risk my $7.00 per HOUR job just to curb your face.

It's an electric toothbrush for crying out loud. Use it manually and don't expect quality when purchasing a electronic device from Tesco...  Send it back to the manufacturer of the toothbrush, not the person that orders them in bulk maybe twice a year.

Answer 15

Or, you could just ask for a replacement head - which you should've taken off before you tried to insert the battery...

Answer 16

Its probably too late now as you seem to have accepted their decision that its OK now. I suspect you could have refused to accept it as it was too difficult for you to open (even though she seemed to manage it) but the excuse about the brush touching the counter is a bit dismal. All you need to do is rinse it in really hot water before using.

Answer 17

Stupidity runs rampant in the world today. It’s clear by the responses who the idiots were that gave you  thumbs down, Jus Curiuos (who can’t spell), susie x, and Medium Dave. These idiots probably work in customer service too. The very term customer service is to ensure a satisfied customer and a repeat customer.

Answer 18

i love complaining! write to head office and tell them all about it, and see what happens. customer satisfaction is what these companys want! good luck!

Answer 19

Tesco have absolutely appalling customer service in my experience. I bought one of those chinese takeaway for two bags in there and when I got it home and opened it, all the containers were burst and had filled the inside. When I took it back they basically accused me of doing it on purpose and after minutes of arguing I eventually got a refund but no apology or anything else to make up for it.

I would suggest either going back and asking for the manager and explaining your points, they will give in to you if you escalate it. Alternatively, email Tesco customer services via their website to make a complaint about the store and how it was handled. You might find they send you a voucher or something.

I avoid Tesco these days and tend to go to Asda. They have really good customer service. They mischarged me on a turkey and it was three months before I remembered to take the receipt with me. They refunded the money no questions asked even after all that time, they also gave me a Turkey for free and were very apologetic! I think because Tesco have got such a monopoly they tend to put customer service low on their list of prriorities.

Answer 20

you are right and have the Right for refund.