We helped a member get a refund after she was left out of pocket when Currys PC World failed to install her new hob. Have you had a similar experience?
Which? Legal member Barbara bought a new Zanussi gas job from Currys PC World for £264, which included the cost of fitting.
On delivery, the fitters refused to install the hob because the wiring wasn’t suitable. They told Barbara that she would have to pay for her own electrician to make some changes before they could fit it.
But the fitters failed to complete the paperwork, so Barbara couldn’t pass on suitable instructions to her electrician.
The electrician was as helpful as he could be, advising her to take before-and-after pictures of the sockets.
After this, new fitters from Currys PC World arrived and stated that the old sockets should have been fine, meaning the extra work was completely unnecessary.
Left out of pocket
Barbara was left £78 out of pocket as a result. We told her that she was entitled to claim this back from Currys PC World, and explained that her contract with it was governed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Under this law, Currys PC World, or any of its sub-contractors, should have supplied the service with reasonable care and skill.
The original fitters failed to do this by not looking at the other sockets in the cupboards on either side of the cooker.
After three months, Barbara received £150 to compensate her for the fitting costs and inconvenience caused.
Additional losses: the law
If a competent professional should have been able to complete the installation on the first try, then Currys PC World would be in breach of contract, as it failed to carry out its service with reasonable care and skill.
If a consumer is given false information that results in an additional loss, they’re entitled to claim this back from the trader under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
A Currys PC World spokesperson said:
“We’re very sorry about Ms Littlewood’s experience. To help make things right, we refunded her costs and offered an additional £50”
Have you ever had a similar experience with fitters/sub-contractors? If so, how was the situation handled? Did you manage to get a refund?