should be entitled to refund?

[lindsay22]

my dad who is a pensioner and is disabled goes to a local shooting range once a week, he loves it. anyway he needed a new part for his rifle and went into a specialist shop where they advised him what he needed etc and he paid for the part. when he used the part it was faulty and caused a lot of smoke , other people at the club were complaining about it.
so he took it back to the shop, and they told him they would send it back to the manufactures for testing. after 3 months my dad wrote the to manufactures asking where the part was, they told him they had never received it?
so he wrote to the shop and asked for refund, as the part was faulty and they has not sent it back for testing, the other day he got a really nasty letter back saying they do not give refunds if u have changed your mind? and if he does not collect the part from the shop within 7 days, they will charge him £10 a week storage and if not collected after 4 weeks they will sell it.
can they do this?

[Zamzara]

They can't do that: if it was bought on their advice they have a duty to replace the item with one that is suitable or to give a refund. If your dad took it back soon after purchase he also has the right to choose a refund if he prefers.

If they won't cooperate, and the amount involved is worthwhile, then send a letter before action and then sue them in the small claims court. You could also see if trading standards will have a word.

[lindsay22]

thanks, he has been in touch with trading standards but they do not seem interested, i have sent a lba on his behalf which promted they letter to my dad. they have had the part nearly 4 months, and that was the first my dad had heard from them.