Sound and Vision

Charged me £90 to return an unfit JVC DRMH300 DVD/HDD recorder.

I recently bought a JVC DRMH300 HDD/DVD recorder from 'Sound & Vision Online' - bad mistake!

The fan in this unit is so noisy that I could barely hear my TV over it (even when it was in standby).
I phoned them the next day and explained that, being so noisy, it was unfit for the purpose for which I purchased it and I therefore wanted to return it and receive a full refund. They offered to pick it up free of charge.

Once they were in possession of the unit, I received a letter from them demanding payment of £90 for'inspection' because they found no fault with it!

I refused and insisted that it was unfit. They then withheld the £90 from my refund, even though their website specifies only a 15% charge for returning 'unwanted' goods (this would have been £45).

I threatened Sound & Vision with Trading standards, Office of fair trading & credit card action - they couldnt care less.
They took a week to reply to each letter and their attitude was: go ahead and sue us.

I contacted all three agencies - they refused to help. Trading Standards thought I had a good case for the Small Claims Court but this would cost me £30+ to instigate and I might have to travel to Bolton for a hearing - thanks a lot!

So the moral of this story is:

a) Dont buy anything from them that you havent seen, used, know inside-out and are happy with.
b) Dont attempt to return anything - you are better off reselling it on ebay!
c) Their 'customer service' is the most arrogant I have ever experienced.
d) Dont expect Trading Standards, credit card companies or the OFT to help you. You are on your own.

So basically this company reclaims any profit it would have made on a sale by withholding money from your refund.
The distance selling regulations mean nothing to them and nobody is prepared to enforce them unless YOU foot the bill.

Yes, the prices are good. Now you know why. You have been warned!