Purchased Printer from Officeworks; was not told it was a returned model

Vallani on 19/10/2013 - 12:28

Today I purchased a printer from Officeworks. When I got it home I discovered it was a model that had previously been purchased and returned. The printer seems fine, but I am angry that I was charged full price, especially since some of the ink appears to have been used by the previous owner. For full price I would have gone and bought a new model elsewhere. What is the vendor's duty to tell me if something has been returned? I realise I can probably return it but for various reasons that is not very convenient.

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Comments

  • scrimshaw on 19/10/2013 - 12:30
    +5

    This is a widespread and common practice, but its also illegal to sell used goods to customers (when it is advertised as new)

    Contact Dept of Fair trading.
    Fair Trading is encouraging people who feel they've been duped to call it on 13 32 20.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/new-goods-scand…

    and if you're feeling creative, you can also shame them on the ABC's FU-Tube channel.
    http://www.abc.net.au/tv/thecheckout/futube/

  • ilostnemo on 19/10/2013 - 13:34

    I also bought some earphones from officeworks, which upom opening realised they had been opened before.

    I call them up and they happily exchanged them, it's definitely not a good practice, especially earphones which may of come in contact with someone else.

    The good thing is after sanitising them, they were very uncomfortable. (the Plantronics special listed on here before for $49)

  • Baghern on 19/10/2013 - 14:07
    +1

    Electronics is so dodgy.

    I bought a hard drive from Bing Lee online,

    There were default folders in there I didn't notice one that was obviously someone else's file for a month, because it was named like one of my own folders.

    Just recently discovered it had files that were for someone else. The hard drive was a returned item that was just repacked.

  • Vallani on 19/10/2013 - 19:37

    Thanks for the feedback. The salesman did not appear to know it was a returned item, at least he acted surprised when I rang to complain. I will be more vigilant next time.

  • ozhunter on 19/10/2013 - 19:48

    I think printer's usually come with the ink half filled. Any other signs it was a used printer?

    • Vallani on 20/10/2013 - 09:24

      Yes, the envelopes containing the installation CDs were open and the previous owner had written the purchase date and location inside the manual (there was a spot in the manual to record this info). I am mostly annoyed about not being told about and having paid full price. It's a massive A3 printer and after lugging it home and installing it I could not be bothered taking it back to swap for a refund; it was also their last model in stock and I really need a printer today, so I guess I am stuck with it.

  • AssociatedFlying Ace @ Officeworks on 20/10/2013 - 09:10

    Many printers only come with starter cartridges which have less ink than the full retail pack.
    If any items are returned and are in saleable condition we will reduce the price and put a white sticker detailing the new price and why it was returned.

    • voteoften on 20/10/2013 - 11:57
      +2

      I would never trust whatever reason was given for return if I was the subsequent customer.

  • ddguevarav on 17/12/2013 - 16:22

    that is why is better to buy printers directly from manufacturer and from reputable brands like Dell , they only sell sealed box new items. Never had issues with Dell printers and they have a trade to save program so you can trade your old printer for upto $200 , check link below

    https://delltradetosave.com/au

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