So what is the deal here???
Did play.com get this "one off" deal on this monitor because it was the last one their supplier had...or did they get this "one off" deal because this monitor was some sort of "display" model or a returned item from another dissatisfied customer (because of the blemish)...and then play.com sold the monitor to you as "NEW" when really it was "damage merchandise"?
Of course if you got a really good deal on the monitor because of the display blemish...then that's totally understandable (and you knew about it). But if this monitor was sold to you as a 100% new defect free product...then it seems a return is in order.
On the other hand...here's an idea for you...that I would try if I was in your shoes. If this "blemish" is really really not that big of a deal for you. And since this was the only monitor of this model that play.com has or had...why not call them up & say..."Hey...to save us both the hassle of returning/dealing with this monitor...how about giving me a 25 pound refund of my purchase price...and call things even."
Or whatever wording & refund amount you feel is fair. If they say no...then return the monitor. Of course if this monitor blemish is really bothersome...and no refund amount would make things better...then of course definitely return the monitor.
Hope this helps...some food for thought,
- Nick
Hi again Nick,
As I understand it, play.com simply got a consignment of X number of these monitors in from their supplier/distributor and marketed them as a new product.
When I ordered my monitor last week, there were still 4 remaining monitors in stock, which they have subsequently sold and the monitor is no longer available for purchase on their website.
From what I can gather, it looks to me as if this monitor model is perhaps end of line and therefore no more are being pushed through the supply chain, as when I rang Asus in the Netherlands, I was told that the model was over a year old at this point, by one of Asus' tech team, so perhaps this would explain why play.com (and other retailers) only got a limited number to sell.
I would doubt very much that play would resell what could effectively be a refurbished product, as the box which the monitor came in, was Asus branded and even the packaging tape, which was intact, had the Asus logo/brand name on it.
I doubt very much that play would offer me any kind of "goodwill gesture" in the form of a rebate or partial refund, as the supervisor I spoke to yesterday was adamant that if the monitor did not fully meet my expectations, then the only recourse open to me would be a full refund of the purchase price, but this would entail (i)shipping the item back to them at their cost and a presumptive timescale of 3-5 working days, (ii)waiting another 1-2 days for the item to be tested for faults and (iii)finally getting a refund to my card, which would take approximately 3-5 working days again.
I even suggested to the supervisor that he ship me a higher priced monitor of similar spec, which averaged £5.00 more than the one I'd purchased and I pay the outstanding balance, provided that they could ship the replacement to me and pick up the faulty item at the same time, but this was, according to the supervisor, against company policy.
As things stand right now, I am going to call play back tomorrow and speak with the same supervisor that I spoke to today, to see if his immediate superior can, perhaps "bend the rules" in my favor.
I will also be calling Asus again to express my concerns and displeasure and see if it would be possible to get a replacement shipped directly from them, if play don't want to help.
My final option is to return the monitor and wait almost 2 1/2 weeks, before I can re-order a new item, which to me, seems like a serious mule kick in the Niagras (cockney slang
), but if that's my final option, then that's what I will have to settle for, as right now I can't see myself being able to use this monitor, even if they gave me a partial refund - the issue with the screen is in such a location, that it's
very noticeable and quite frankly unacceptable to me.