Hi all, just want to gauge everyone's responses.
I work for one of the retailers or discounters. Over the years, I've noticed there has been a trend or a pattern where customers buying the cheapest item of home appliances ( $7 kettles, $10 toasters, $30 vacuum cleaners) and returning them to the store. All of these items have 1 year warranty despite the cheap tag price.
The same bunch of customers will be using the items for say 8-9 months and try to return it because parts are getting dirty or didn't function as well as the new ones. We are instructed to refund or give them a new one every single time as it is still under warranty. So they get the new ones and most of the time will choose the cheapest brand, and the cycle continues. 8-9 months later they will return to the store and complain. Most of the time with toasters filled with bread crumbs, butter, cheese, nutella what have you or disgusting microwave with insides looking like someone's vomit ?
What will ozbargainers do in this case? Would you buy a $7 kettles and expect it to be used daily and function well for a year ? and tried to get a replacement if it doesn't
I know, legally we all can claim for refund or exchange as it is still under warranty, but the little voices always tell me to get the same new ones or even better new ones instead of hassling the staff.
I expect any appliance bought new to last longer than the warranty, regardless of the price point.
I would return a defective item, but not one that was just dirty/used.
I suppose I might not bother if it was a $7 kettle, if it was more convenient to just buy a replacement.
The store has the ability to choose the stock and the price point, so should stock more reliable products if returns are an issue.