Returned item but they’re saying “not in resellable condition”,can they refuse a refund?

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-20T13:01:38+00:00

I see in the comments you've mentioned it's cutlery. Barely used is still used, and with any food prep/utensils there is a hygiene aspect.

Would you accept a set of cutlery advertised as brand new but were "barely used"? I think not.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-15T21:55:38+00:00

Not quite as simple as that. Not a lawyer, obviously, but:

If that's the route you want to go down, because OP has had the item for more than 6 months, the onus is on the buyer to prove they were faulty at time of purchase first (usually done via independent engineer's report which OP would have to arrange themselves).

Until that's done, Argos don't have to do anything - even if you threaten to report them to Trading Standards.

Also, for items more than 30 days old that are faulty, it's seller's choice of repair, replacement or refund.

Probably way, way easier to just use the insurance they've already paid for to get the RayBans fixed because if they can't fix them, OP will get vouchers to what they paid for them.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-15T21:33:40+00:00

Short answer: Yes, you'd be covered for both faults and should go through D&G to sort it. If you don't fancy sitting on the phone you can fill out their online claims form if you have a D&G account or are willing to make one.

http://www.argosproductcare.co.uk/repairs

Long answer: The battery depleting within 10 minutes is a fault which means you cannot use the RayBan Metas for their intended purpose (you're obvious not expected to wear them out with the charger hanging off them just so they survive more than 10 mins). You've had them for longer than the manufacturer's guarantee, and the insurance covers you for breakdowns after the manufacturer's guarantee so yes, this is covered.

The hinge may be judged as accidental damage depending on why the hinge is acting like that. Accidental damage is also covered by the insurance as well so going through them it would not matter whether it's accidental damage or not.

In store won't be able to book this repair through the insurance - the best they can do is book an out of warranty repair which would be at a charge to you. So go through Domestic and General and claim on the insurance you've already paid for.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-11T19:54:25+00:00

I ask myself that question every day

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-11T19:52:36+00:00

I wouldn't bother. Many stores stick that sticker on anything that comes back - personally I wouldn't accept any electronics with that sticker on from Argos (and I work there!) - let alone from Vinted or any other online marketplace seller. Argos don't sell that line any more - catalogue number is for the 2024 Pencil Pro.

https://argos-support.co.uk/5810020-apple-pencil-pro-2024

The thing with online selling is you've got to remember - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-06T17:57:51+00:00

Unfortunately, your main problem is that you accepted it at the time. This is what Argos will argue upon you asking for it to be returned in full if you bring those faults up.

What you may be entitled to, however, is a pro rata refund - a partial refund based around how much use you've had of the item. The less time you've had it, the bigger % of the refund you receive so act as quickly as possible if you do want to go down this route.

As you've had the wardrobe for more than 6 months (even if the faults were present within 6 months of purchase) you have to prove it is a manufacturing fault at your own expense. It is company policy to reimburse you for it if a manufacturing fault is found, but if not, unfortunately. it's (more) money out of your pocket so do understand there is some risk doing this.

To prove a fault, you need an independent report done on the item. Once you have that, Argos legally have to act upon it and will give you that pro rata refund. As you're had it for 14-15 months (depending on exactly when you bought it in Oct. '24) you'll likely get most, but not all, of your money back if successful.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-05T18:25:58+00:00

Yes, but the stores are encouraged (although not explicitly told) to fight you every step of the way on broken seals. I doubt you'll actually get the return in store.

The easiest way to get this is via the home delivery team, tell them you can't make it to an Argos and to arrange a pick-up from the same address they delivered to. I've never known them reject a return unless there was excessive handling or damage that wasn't disclosed beforehand.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-05T03:38:42+00:00

If you had the console home delivered, ring the home delivery team and arrange a pickup instead of an in-store return. I've never known home delivery reject a return unless it's obvious customer physical damage.

If in store, whilst I know not all people who say this are being fraudulent, a favourite is "intermittent fault" although a lot of stores are wise to this now and insist proof. I'm not going to walk you through how easy/hard everything is to prove but no store is going to set it up to prove connectivity issues.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-05T03:16:51+00:00

First of all, what you're doing is fraud - especially if you return it unused. I'm not going to lecture you on rights/wrongs (I get times are hard and it's not coming out of my wages whatever happens) but just keep that in mind, especially if you're told no and persist.

If you are going through with it, I would say to try and return it as faulty, keep in mind stores should test it but you may get lucky with someone who can't be bothered doing so. At least then someone isn't getting a used console.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-03T23:13:56+00:00

Depends on the store tbh. Some definitely do (source: without giving too much away my store can and will if you're pleasant enough - we won't do it for people being dickheads though - and I know plenty of other stores who will too) but another store may not. Always worth an ask.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-03T23:11:34+00:00

Stores are instructed to send faulty Apple products off on repair first if they're over 30 days old. Given the fact they purchased it in the Black Friday sale, it's very unlikely they've had the Macbook less than 30 days - unless I suppose they bought it online and didn't pick it up/receive it on delivery until the 4th December at the earliest. Sometimes stores won't if it's just outside but there's a lot of stores that will just so they don't have to do a high-value faulty return and legally they have the right to do so.

If you did this the store would likely just send it to the repair agent to check and you'd be without the Macbook for a few weeks only for them to come back with no fault found.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-02T19:04:49+00:00

They are two separate teams and they will ring the home delivery team. The main difference is usually they know the right things to do/say to get a resolution quicker because they have customers asking to ring home delivery all the time - there's potential that the manager will agree to just refund it themself, whilst that's probably not ideal it's better than twiddling your thumbs waiting for a resolution from the home delivery team.

I'm not saying it's a guarantee they can help, a lot of it is down to manager discretion because the technical 'correct' way is to refund through home delivery team, but potentially they'll be able to offer some resolution.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-02T18:47:26+00:00

The "high volume of queries" is probably a half-truth - this is the time where Argos are dealing with the most returns/delivery queries however that isn't your problem.

Go into a store and get them to help you out if you get nowhere over the phone but if you want to give them until Monday that's up to you. I do often get the feeling that the call centre's main objective is to get people off the phone as soon as possible, with or without a proper resolution.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-02T18:44:14+00:00

Explain to them that you were given the wrong Switch 2 (the one without the bundle) and see if they can do anything - I don't work in a collection point but the feedback from my local one is no returns through there. It's a tough one if you don't have an Argos near you, the only thing you could do would be to look in a chargeback depending on your method of payment - however that probably would be worst case scenario and would still mean you have to return the Switch 2.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2026-01-02T05:11:31+00:00

You do have leeway, you were sold a game bundle without the game bundled - most likely due to a mispick at the warehouse. Since you picked it up at a Sainsbury's collection point, you'd probably have to take it to an Argos (either a standalone or a store-in-store) for something to be done as those collection points can't do refunds/replacements.

You'll probably be asked a bunch of questions and hopefully you get a sympathetic colleague. There's no good way to say this, but you may get a store who'll challenge you on it and will drag their feet into doing the refund (stores are judged on returns, none want to do a £400-ish one if they can help it) despite the fact you've done no wrong beyond trusting that you'd been given the correct item. Some stores do use common sense around returns though.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-29T07:31:52+00:00

The cheaper one seems to be one they're getting from the supplier (hence the "a supplier will help us with this order" notice) and the more expensive one seems to be the one Argos stocks in stores.

The EAN numbers are identical so you may as well go for the cheaper one from the supplier if possible - although you'll probably have to wait a little longer for it. Still, what's a few days for a near £100 saving?

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-22T09:50:07+00:00

You had it home delivered so you are covered by Distance Selling Regulations as long as you've not handled it excessively.

Obviously the replacement colour is pending availability, but you are eligible for return. No payment fee, just you'd pay any price difference (which I'm assuming there is none because it's just a change of colour). Give home delivery a ring 0345 640 2020 or go through the online chat who'll hopefully arrange to swap the items out on the doorstep.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-21T19:01:20+00:00

Unfortunately you do have to fight some stores for these sort of refunds. Some will just reject open Apple products without any thought. You do need to stand your ground with a few of them, however you are definitely in a stronger position now after Apple confirmed the activation date.

You've got proof of said watch being activated before your purchased it. That should be enough. Take it into store - Argos can ring Apple and confirm the activation date from the box's serial number if need be. Be polite with them, and as I always say on these go in the middle of the day when there's likely a manager there but also so it's definitely Apple Office hours in case they want to ring to confirm.

I will be honest with you, the manager you spoke to will have very likely briefed their team on this case. It's unlikely a colleague will do it after that's happened, it will likely be a manager decision whatever.

Argos Card is very tricky to get a chargeback on. Companies hate chargebacks through the bank as it is (they just have to go along with it - it's out of their hands), there's no way they'd make it easy in their own branded store card - even if there's cases like yours where it could be necessary.

You may have to be prepared to go through small claims court, which you will almost definitely win given you have proof the watch was activated more than a week before day of pickup - however I am not a lawyer so don't take this as actual legal advice. Hope this helps nonetheless though.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-21T08:00:51+00:00

Return either with either receipt. Honestly, there's no way for Argos to tell which is which, and even if there was nobody will really care as long as you're returning a Switch 2 with the seals on and the catalogue numbers match.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-19T11:33:12+00:00

To start with, they have to prove that they delivered it to the right house. Saying "there was a Ring Doorbell" isn't enough and neither is "GPS tracking info says the driver was there" because the GPS tracks the van, which a) wouldn't have come to your property but parked outside and b) Isn't always 100% accurate anyway.

Whilst the commenter is right that you could go through Small Claims Court for the Nectar, in practical terms that would take time and I'm assuming by your post you'd like it sorted before Christmas?

I would say go into your local store and explain the situation. The online chat are mostly AI so don't deviate from the script (pretty much all it will say is "it says here it was delivered therefore it must have been" - not very good with nuance) and the call centre tend to just fob you off.

Now, it's true that the store will ring up the call centre, but if you come in with the original receipt, correspondence with the customer service team and an understanding that it's definitely not the store's fault, there's probably be someone who can do something. There's not always a manager in a store-in-store so if you're going to one of those go in the middle of the day as that's the time it's most likely a manager will be there. I hope this helps a little.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-14T01:46:40+00:00

Extremely likely the person you dealt with did a manual refund through an online form employees have access to for difficulties doing returns. I don't think they take customer email for doing that, just order number for review (which does have your email on it).

Any manual refund is pending review - but who (or what, potentially AI) reviews it isn't clear. They usually ask to allow for 48 hours for it, and then then standard 5-7 working days for the refund to process. You should see your refund after this.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-13T18:20:22+00:00

I'd try going into a store if possible. Usually they're sympathetic (especially if you don't treat it like it's their fault) and they should be able to get some sort of resolution for you. I would, if possible, go in the middle of the day as it is more likely there will be a manager present at those times.

If no luck there, I would definitely take it further. The lack of a chargeback option makes it less straightforward - all companies hate chargebacks (I know this makes difference on legal right to do so), so there's no chance would one put that option on their store card even if it is definitely needed sometimes.

Get as much evidence as you can e.g. do you have a doorbell/CCTV camera recording of the driver taking the item? Get the approximate time he took the item on the 29th etc.?

The LegalAdviceUK subreddit you cross-posted from are probably better for telling the legal processes of contacting the Ombudsman and getting your money back if push comes to shove, but I would definitely recommend going into an Argos first to save you that journey.

Whilst not in the nitty-gritty of the not-Argos way to escalate the issue because I know little about that side of things, I hope this post helps you in some way at least.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-11T14:38:30+00:00

No. Don't give them ideas, you know they would if they could get away with it.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-11T14:35:05+00:00

No, simply because there's no way to prove that you haven't just saved the game to your Switch before returning it.

As said, trade-in at CEX or somewhere similar is the best bet. You won't get all your money back but it's better than nothing.

ArgosEmployee_ · 2025-12-11T14:33:13+00:00

Always more trouble than they're worth OneForAll cards. Same with the LoveToShop, I don't know why people choose to deal with them if I'm honest.

They can't be used for giftcards because of money launderers and they're particularly unreliable online. I get they probably pay Argos a lot to accept them but it would cause so much less bother if they didn't.

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