Harvey Norman Warranty Issue - No Refund

Ok, so as the title suggests I have had a problem with Harvey Norman.

About 12 months ago my wife and I purchased a 7 piece dining table & chairs from Harvey Norman, we had the item for roughly 12 months before significant cracks began to form on the table top. The tabletop itself is about 12cms thick and the cracks went all the way through which was visible from either end with crack separation about 2.5mm wide (wide enough you could slot a 10c coin into the crack. The table itself is our "formal" dining table and saw little to no use in this 12 month period and was covered with a light furniture wax for protection so we can rule out any misuse.

We contacted Harvey Norman about this problem and they asked to send through some pictures, we were told that a number of these tables have had issues and advised that they no longer stock the table we purchased.
This is where the problem begins - We were told that because they no longer stocked the table that we would be given a store credit to the same value of the table that could be used to purchase anything within the furniture department. We particularly liked the dining table we had so ideally we wanted something very similar so that it would suit the decor of our house, after looking in store and online there were no dining tables similar that we liked.

Since there were no tables we liked we asked Harvey Norman if it were still ok to use the credit towards another item from the furniture department and advised that it would be ok, so we put the credit towards a lounge and paid the difference. Some 3 - 4 months had passed and and in this time we purchased a new dining table from Domayne, since Harvey Norman never once asked for the table back or offered to pick it up off us so we donated it to the local smith family who were more than happy to pick it up, when I unscrewed the legs off the table it split in two so the table was pretty well unusable however the chairs were still in relatively ok condition.

When it came to Harvey Norman delivering the lounge we ordered, we were asked when the table was "coming back", however the problem now is that we no longer have the table. Whilst i understand that in many cases it may be assumed that the retailer may want the item back we assumed this was not the case since we were offered a store credit rather than a repair or refund. In-fact we were never offered a refund, If I was only offered a store credit as a means for replacing the table I would have refuted since there were no tables we liked and we would have been without a table AND without renumeration. We went and bought another table elsewhere because we figured we had a store credit to make up for our losses.

Any thoughts on the situation would be appreciated.

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Comments

  • +33

    It is assumed that you're getting some sort of refund that they'll want the item back. It is also common practice (and common sense) that they'll save in courier fees by collecting a large item when they drop another one off.

    You're in a pickle because HN never stipulated that they're not taking the table back. The best outcome may be a partial refund.

    All the best.

    • -6

      Well I mean I guess I got caught up in the terminology since store credit and refund are two very different things would you agree? A refund would have meant we would have had our money back in the hand whereas the store credit must be used within the store.

      I guess the big argument is that they should have offered me a refund for the table since it had a major problem.

      • +5

        store credit and refund are two very different things

        I'm with you there but take a step back. The store and you came to an agreement where they gave you something and they are to receive something back. In this case, store credit for a broken table.

        they should have offered me a refund for the table since it had a major problem.

        They didn't have to offer a refund but if you insisted, they had to provide it. Even if it was a refund, there'd still be the issue of missing (albeit faulty) goods.

      • +19

        No goods no refunds. How could you possibly expect them to give you a refund via store credit if you dont return the goods?

        You should get nothing. Its that blunt and simple…

        Sorry, but your clutching at straws because you know you have no leg to stand on. Kinda sucks

        • +9

          Sorry, but your[sic] clutching at straws because you know you have no leg to stand on.

          Nor table nor chairs.

      • +2

        Did you have to sign anything when you received the crediit? If not and its been 3-4 months i think it would be unreasonable of hn to expect you would return it.

      • I guess the big argument is that they should have offered me a refund for the table since it had a major problem.

        They don't have to offer you anything. It's up to you to ask for a refund.

  • +4

    The problem you may have here is that HN may be looking for a refund from their supplier, who in turn may require some level of proof that the table was indeed faulty. I don't know there's much advice that can be given other than to continue to negotiate with HN. The fact that the lounge has been delivered is in your favour as HN will now have to chase you.

    • This is what I imagine is the case - The lounge was not delivered though, I am happy to get my deposit back off the lounge and they can keep it

      • +2

        Hmmm, that tilts things back their way. As noted above, negotiation with HN is really your only option. Photos of the thing split in two, etc. may help in that.

    • 200% correct and to be quite honest, the suppliers sell what's left at auctions - never buy furniture from an auction house!
      More to the point, tables don't just combust and 'crack'. I'd actually love to see a table do that.

      You know what makes the wood split and crack though, plastic mats and plastic table cloths… Hot items can cause discolouration and 'rings'.

      If a vaneered table is purchased humidity and moisture cause them to crack, bubble and warp. Once again, user error.

      • +2

        How do plastic mats make wooden tables crack?

  • -3

    Do you have a photo of the split table? maybe show them the photo and said you need to dispose it as it is unusable and pose a hazard.

    Did they provide a store credit for the full invoice value, including the chairs? If so, return the chairs and the photos.

    A store credit, while different from refund has the same value as what you paid, at least on paper. so they assume ownership of the faulty table and chairs when you accept the store credit.

    • We provided them numerous photos of the table, I figured at a minimum they would have offered a refund for the table, so we could get rid of table and get our money back. Given the extent of the damage I figured they offered a store credit as a means of compensation rather than refund insinuating that they didn't want the responsibility of returning the table since obviously their loss on a store credit is far less than providing a refund.

      The "store credit" was for the full invoice value however to be honest, each time I spoke with them I received conflicting information. For instance when we arrived at the store to look at other tables the manager showed us the dining packages and then asked how the chairs were.. I said the chairs were still fine and then he says :well then you have about $1500 to spend on a table".. I was a bit taken back since there was no way we were going to get a table to match the timber chairs.

    • +1

      you need to dispose it as it is unusable and pose a hazard.

      Com'on now. Really? Even if OP wanted to lie, there would be more convincing ones.

      • -4

        If it were a glass table this could be plausible. Do you feel there is an element of dishonesty here, I think that HN probably think so, realistically I didn't want a big ass broken table taking up space in my house, I had asked them on the outset about returning it and thats when the store credit was offered.

        • -5

          If it were a glass table

          From OP:

          The table itself is our "formal" dining table and saw little to no use in this 12 month period and was covered with a light furniture wax for protection

          When was the last time you saw a glass tabletop covered with furniture wax for protection?


          Edit: Wait, YOU ARE the OP! What the F are you on about "If it was a glass table"? You know well and good that it wasn't, and HN would know too.

          I had asked them on the outset about returning it and thats when the store credit was offered.

          But did they say "No" to having the table returned…?

          • +3

            @HighAndDry: Have you actually read the comments?

            The OP said this in response to someone saying "said you need to dispose it as it is unusable and pose a hazard."

            So "if it were a glass table this could be plausible"

            If it was a broken glass table then disposing of it seems reasonable.

            • +3

              @spaceflight: And if it was radioactive it would seem reasonable.

              Or it was spontaneously combusting.

              Or molesting children at night.

              But alas, it is a wooden table and the appropriate response to "if it were a glass table" would have been "it is not a glass table."

              • @[Deactivated]:

                But alas, it is a wooden table and the appropriate response to "if it were a glass table" would have been "it is not a glass table."

                Actually "if it were a glass table this could be plausible" is perfectly acceptable.

                "If it were" implies that it isn't a glass table so there is no need to say it isn't glass.

                it is not a glass table

                You mean "it was not a glass table"

                The table is broken and the OP doesn't have it anymore. There is no table to talk about in present tense.

                • @spaceflight: Was evokes too much sadness. I'm trying to stay positive. :(

                  • @[Deactivated]: There there tshow, mr woody has gone to a better place. He is now with all his other wood friends.

                    • @spaceflight: I don't think you know what Mr Woody is. He may be gone now but he is coming back first thing in the morning.

                      • @[Deactivated]: The original reply was

                        a warm, dark, moist place. The compost pile.

                        But I went with a family friendly one.

      • If the table top splits in two when the OP took the legs off, to me, it is an accident waiting to happen.

        Unless the OP meant he broke the leg when unscrewing and not the table top.

        • -1

          It happens with about 90% of tables.. it's when one person tries to flip the table over and the legs snap near the bolts.

          Extremely common and I've seen this 100x before. User error.

          • @[Deactivated]: You've had 100x tables? I've had probably 8 so I fit in the margin but never had such an issue.

  • +8

    we donated it to the local smith family

    Who happened to contact you via Gumtree

    • You could tell they didn't want the table when they arrived but took it anyway

      • +10

        Of course they didn't want your crappy broken table.

        You just increased their costs as they had to take it to the dump. You might as well dumped it at their front door in the middle of the night (you didn't did you?).

        Well done OP, what a low act.

        • +3

          Yeah, i agree with you. You should never give rubbish to charities. Then they're stuck with having to get rid of it. You're not doing them any favours. If it was truly rooted, you should have used it on the bbq yourself.

  • +6

    since Harvey Norman never once asked for the table back or offered to pick it up off us so we donated it to the local smith family

    facepalm but this is fair

    We went and bought another table elsewhere because we figured we had a store credit to make up for our losses.

    double facepalm

    This is like you going into a store, find an item you like, leave and bring it home as you figured you don't need to pay because they never ask (i.e. price label missing/security guy occupied/you never actually see the cashier because it is all the way back at the store).

    We were told that because they no longer stocked the table that we would be given a store credit to the same value of the table that could be used to purchase anything within the furniture department.

    One way for you to fight this out if there is NOTHING in writing that indicates you're asking for a "replacement" from Harvey Norman or them wanting you to "return" it (or some other words that infer the same meaning). Example:
    "Hey the table I bought off you some months ago had a crack!"
    "Oh well, here's some store credit for you to use brah!"

    Can you reveal how much is the table/store credit?
    Did you sign any paperwork for the store credit?
    Now I know why they had to become Hardly Normal…
    Username also checks out!

      • +6

        Not a great example as a charred washing machine would be considered dangerous junk, whose creator would definitely want back to examine.

        If you expect credit for something, then it's more than reasonable to expect you to return the faulty part/component to the place of purchase.

        If you paid to have it delivered, then perhaps you could have asked that they come take it away. If not, then definitely up to the individual to return.

        The same rule applies for pretty much all manner of returns (food to supermarkets, electronics, clothes, etc. to retailers).

        Now, the cynic in me says this ignorance was a deliberate attempt on HN's part to mislead you in to this situation (after all they are sales people with far more experience in this), but 99.999% of people would have returned the faulty goods as soon as agreement was reached as to $ involved.

        • -5

          EDIT - the washing machine poses no danger, does not require examining as photos are sufficient evidence given the long standing history of faults of the exact same nature.

          • +11

            @[Deactivated]: Sorry mate, everything else is white noise. Anyone expecting a refund should normally assume they must return parts to place of purchase, unless alternative arrangements are agreed to in writing.

            Where $ are concerned don't believe anything until you have something in writing.

            Simply ignoring the question for 4 months & then donating it, doesn't explain why you didn't raise & deal with this question with HN as part of any of your exchanges with them.

          • +6

            @[Deactivated]:

            does not require examining as photos are sufficient evidence

            Did you just assume this on your own? It's hilarious that you're now adding assumptions into your hypotheticals in order to justify the fact that you made unreasonable assumptions.

            • -1

              @HighAndDry: No, this is what was asked from HN

              • +1

                @[Deactivated]: Wait, this is from your hypothetical:

                EDIT - the washing machine poses no danger, does not require examining as photos are sufficient evidence

                HN talked to you about your washing machine hypothetical?

                (Hint: Just because HN says photos are enough to process your claim, doesn't mean they don't need to verify it after it's returned.)

        • Large items such as tvs ect are at stores cost to collect for warranty.

      • You're made-up scenario is nothing like what you experienced. Your table did not catch on fire or pose any significant risk to your safety due to the fault it had. If your table had spontaneously combusted then maybe you would have a case There is no way it was too hazardous for you to hold onto for a short amount of time.

        • -7

          The crux of the problem is the same, both experienced major failure, both of which were damaged beyond repair.

  • +5

    You're screwed….unless Harvey Norman are feeling really nice (lol)

  • +4

    Unless they specifically said "We will give you store credit and you can keep the product", it's generally the case that if you're getting something of value (store credit), you need to return something, at a minimum so that store can verify the issues you raised.

  • +11

    You should have kept it at least until you were in possession of the replacement unit.

  • +8

    Honestly, when do you ever go to a store to claim a warranty on something and think you don't actually have to give the item back? Obviously you're not just going to carry in the table like you would if you were returning a small appliance or something, but assuming because it's a big item that you don't have an obligation to return it when claiming the warranty is just wrong. I think most people would assume you DO have to return the item, unless the store explicitly says that they won't require the item back.

    Sorry to say that I am actually siding with HN on this one (shudders)

    • when do you ever go to a store to claim a warranty on something and think you don't actually have to give the item back?

      Well the winner just did it! 😂 I think not the first time either

    • When spotlight installed my shutters that turned out to be garbage they gave me a $1200 credit, they did not come and uninstall them.

      • +7

        Which is fine, since they obviously decided it wasn't worth the hassle for them. But HN have not decided that, you just assumed, which is your problem, not theirs.

          • +7

            @[Deactivated]: I think you think you're joking, but yes, absolutely - you should always be getting these things confirmed in writing, instead of working off your own assumptions.

          • +6

            @[Deactivated]: Maybe you should. They are spotlights property after all.

            I was being nice but after reading all this your being a slimy weezle :/ grow up and own your mistakes

  • +1

    Why wouldn't you email them to pick it up? If they did not respond then I would understand and you would have a leg to stand on. However, you've just given it away and still expect a refund (albeit in the form of store credit). This is absurd.

  • +5

    you should have asked what HN wanted to do with the table. It could have been taken back to the manufacturer for HN to get their money back. Unless the credit had been already given and the issues resolved i don't see why your decided to get rid of the table without confirming this with HN or their contact.

    A quick phone call would have resolved this. it a bit late now

    • -2

      They said they would apply a credit to our account which could be used on anything in furniture department. We were advised four months to use when I asked about any new or upcoming styles.

      Since we are legally entitled to a refund I would have imagined that HN would have given the refund, especially since there should be no time constraints on warranty claims. If they wanted the table back they should have collected it in the first instance that the credit was offered.

      • Did you ever asked if a refund was possible?

        • -1

          Yes sir, after we were told that they could not repair or replace the item I requested a refund as we wanted a dining table that would specifically match our decor. This is when they asked for some more photos of the item (additional), sent through some more detailed images and advised they would be in touch. This is when we were offered the store credit

          I have been contacted by HN today with possible resolution awaiting a phone call.

          • @[Deactivated]:

            This is when we were offered the store credit

            Then did you say "can I have a refund instead of store credit?"

            • @Ughhh: Twice, yes. In person "i would much rather the refund since there is nothing here we like", OK let me come back to you on this
              in email,further to our conversation in store the other weekm my wife and I are not keen to swap for any tables we can see currently in stock and would like a refund.

              • @[Deactivated]: but didn't HN give you credit to buy something else in store?

                Since there were no tables we liked we asked Harvey Norman if it were still ok to use the credit towards another item from the furniture department and advised that it would be ok, so we put the credit towards a lounge and paid the difference.

  • +1

    I would've assumed that they would want it back rather than assume they didn't… One phone call would have clarified. Do you have photos of it split?

    • Yes, I provided them with at least 5 photos of the broken table, these photos were acknowledged as a manufacturing faut with the table.

      • +4

        You've posted a different scenario. Post the actual scenario and then see whether they'd be a difference.

          • +9

            @[Deactivated]: It is not the same.

            Your table was not made of glass nor did it catch on fire. HN were obviously expecting to collect it.

            • -6

              @o53djz7qTPY4der: It may as well have been because the extent of the damage is the same.

              • @[Deactivated]: Oh my god. I can't even believe this right now.

                It's hilarious because I bet if you argued with Harvey Norman for a refund as hard as you are now then you probably would have gotten it.

                Instead you're choosing to argue tooth and nail with strangers on the internet, about a glass table breaking being the same scenario as a wooden table breaking.

                End of the day mate, you messed up. That's the bottom line. You should have checked with HN to confirm before throwing it out. You can make up as many hypothetical situations and try to relate them to your situation, but it doesn't change what happened.

          • @[Deactivated]: No but you would return the frame the glass sat on, be reasonable.

      • +2

        You seem to having a run of badluck with your possessions

    • +5

      I love the internet

      • Vast majority aren’t nice. Anonymity brings out the worst.

  • +1
    1. They usually issue a store credit so customers can still spend in store without losing out further on a sale/exchange/future sale or refunded money leaving the store.
    2. Yes, they are entitled to pick up the table back on premises where they are delivering the new item and taking the faulty item.
    3. If it's not on the order, delivery notes, receipt explicitly in writing, then at present you're in a bit of a pickle.
    4. Store credit and refund are not the same. Both will always entail the item being returned to the store somehow. In your case, a driver came on premises to pick up so the store can assess the claim and process with their supplier/vendor.
  • I think it'd be hard to get a refund/store credit now. In the 4-5 months, did you contact HN to see what they wanted to do w/ the table? If you did and they said they don't need it, then you'd have something to stand on. Just wouldn't make sense for HN to give store credit and not expect the damaged/defected table in return. (you could essentially take a photo of another damaged table, get store credit to buy another thing AND keep the table)

    Maybe have a chat w/ HN - https://www.harveynorman.com.au/customer-service/refund-poli…

  • +19

    Huge blunder, apologize to the wife and tell her you may not be the man she thought you were.

  • +1

    Let me get this straight. You didn't demand a cash refund. You gave away the table, without checking with them about returning it, broke it further (in half!) while disassembling it, but expect them to honour a store credit? Do I have that right?

    • +2

      sound like a plot to a Will Ferrell/Chevy Chase Movie.

      • +4

        National Lampoon's Harvey Norman Vacation.

  • +1

    I think you need to write this all down, read it and understand the turn of events here, maybe draw a picture. I know you were trying to do good and thought HN was going to come to the table, but damn. Time to move on, every story has a happy ending this ending starts now.

    • +1

      MS Paint preferred.

      • with bright colors

  • +2

    What is with this wave of selfish entitled people I have come across lately in threads.

    OP do you seriously think you have a leg to stand on?

    Now your posting to reddit completely twisting the story trying to find someone to agree with you.

    You have your answer. You presumed things that not many rational people would and "know" you are right, when you are 100% wrong.

    Here is my hypothetical.

    Say a guy realises he made a mistake… Wouldn't he get the best result from learning from it… or just whinging about "narrow minded" people not giving him the answer he wants?

    • OP do you seriously think you have a leg to stand on?

      No he gave that away along with the broken table top ;-)

  • +2

    we assumed

    You assumed wrong. A simple call/email would have cleared it up before you gave it away.

  • +1

    To save you the trouble of googling "store credit".. A store credit is a document offered by a store to a customer who returns an item not eligible for a refund. It can be used to buy other goods at the store. You may exchange merchandise or receive store credit in the amount of the item's last sale price.

  • if you google "who owns Domayne"you will find that it is owned by "HARVEY NORMAN"

  • +4

    Hey OP - I have a different take than the previous comments.

    They offered you the store credit, you claimed the store credit - they never once mentioned that they needed the item returned. I agree that maybe a call to them wouldn't have been a bad idea, but I'm sure that even you could tell me that now in hindsight - but the burden isn't on you.

    MONTHS had passed - If they really wanted it back, they should have made that clear earlier or arranged for pick up of the table before giving you the credit. Were they expecting you to arrange delivery to them for an item that bulky? Or were they expecting you to keep a dining table that's split in half just sitting around for a few months?

    Somebody at the store messed up.

    • +2

      I agree with this guy. I think you probably should have called, and I certainly wouldn't have disposed of it without doing so, but the fact it was 4 months and you really just got rid of it last week…

      At worst it is shared responsibility. Best case, they are the professionals and should have been managing it.

      P.s. I like your washing machine analogy - except it didn't sound like the table was destroyed until you disassembled it. In theory they could have resold it, or at least the chairs. Some residual value.

  • there are many many items (mainly electrics) that has the words in their warranty of "Replacement only"if they do not have any replacements left they can give you a credit or offer a refund at their discretion mainly based on the condition of the item and/or the time you have had the item before have returned,you should have called the store to ask if they wanted to collect the damaged table,
    something you may consider that most timber products are imported and their is a chance your table may have been made with a semi or green unseasoned timber and as the timber while drying will twist and bend back to the trees growing shape,

  • Find a dining suite on someone’s kerbside and have this collected by the Harvey Norman Rugrats

  • Reddit post now deleted lol.

    • +6

      For those who didn't get to see it:

      So I purchased a washing machine and after roughly 10 months its motor catches fire, turns out to be a known manufacturers fault, and all I was left with were the charred remains of a washing machine. There are no safety issues and no other damage to anything in my house. I contacted the retailer and was asked to provide photos of the washing machine and that photos would suffice since it was a known problem. I was advised that they cant offer a direct replacement since all the same washing machines are affected but to come take a look at other washing machines they had, they didn't have anything that suited our needs so they offered me a store credit rather than a refund.

      Some time had passed but at no point did the retailer offer to collect the washing machine, whilst you might assume the retailer would come pick up the junk, they didn't offer and since i needed a replacement I got rid of it myself after purchasing a new machine elsewhere.

      I figured the store credit was offered for compensation but now the retailer is asking for the broken machine back in order to provide the credit.

      Is this fair do you think?

      /u/nswfireman

      • The fireman is trying for a new career in novel writing.

      • +1

        Let's be fair, you'll always find a washing machine to suit your needs lol

  • No return nonrefund. Simple as that.

  • +2

    op: because of people like you they have tags on electrical items saying do not dunk in water OR do not just in alligator infested waters etc

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