I visited the Torquay branch of Comet yesterday and purchased two pairs of 'Monster Turbine' headphones at a discounted rate due to there current financial situation. Upon getting home and inspecting the supposedly two identical pairs of headphones it is clear there were differences between the two. Further research online suggests that one of the pairs are a fake set so i returned to the store to try and take action.

Due to Comet currently being in administration they were unable to refund or exchange the items despite the store manager and fellow colleagues acknowledging one of the pairs were fake. I'm am now at odds with what to do, writing to the administrator will more than likely prove fruitless as i will merely become an unsecured debtor and at the bottom of the pile of those set to receive money. Regardless, my staturory rights have been infringed as the goods were definitely not 'as described' and as such is a legal matter.

If anyone has any help or advice with what to do in this strange situation it would be most appreciated.

Suggest you spaek to trading standards about this, IMO this should not affect your rights while they are still trading.

Also see below:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2012/11/comet-administration-latest-what-are-your-rights

Receipt states 'No refunds or exchanges. Statutory rights unaffected' so fortunately they're no. Have e-mailed my local trading standards office but from what i understand they can only threaten with legal action and continue with it if the issue continues. Come next year there will probably not be a Comet Ltd. in existence and thus no one to prosecute so again, unfortunately, i feel this action will prove fruitless. This has happened through what i can only assume is someone buying a real pair of headphones, returning a fake pair and Comet not doing any quality checks on the returned item and putting them back into circulation. I'm just shocked that because of Comet being in administration this allows them to negate their responsibilities to consumers and go unpunished whilst i'm left with a fake product and out of pocket.

I paid on my debit card so i think my only course of action is through the 'Visa Cashback' system suggested in your link to try and dispute the payment, so cheers for your help.

visa debit cashback, requires bank to play ball, all not very helpful. try visa direct, but run out of the usa, so doubt you will get anywhere.

Its people buying very expensive things like televisions that will get real problems when they go wrong. Its a gamble really.

worth a try though.

I bought some of these from comet too and I'm worried they are fake as they had clearly been opened already despite having a comet seal on them. Please please can you help by showing me the differences between the two you bought and which are fake?

Thanks,

DJ

Jesus Christ, what the hell are they doing stocking counterfeit headphones?

I hope you get something sorted with Visa to get your money back, you definitely just need to keep on at people to get somewhere, don't give up, I spent over two months of calls/emails/banging my head off a brick wall to get my refund.

I think what was suggested up thread is most likely...someone buys the headphones, places a fake pair back in the box, and then returns them to the store. they're then one pair of expensive headphones and a tidy cash refund up.

I bought some of these from comet too and I'm worried they are fake as they had clearly been opened already despite having a comet seal on them. Please please can you help by showing me the differences between the two you bought and which are fake?

 

Thanks,

 

DJ

Normally the fakes turn up on ebay Now at a COMET near you .

Real and Fake Guide ,

http://reviews.ebay.com/FAKE-vs-Genuine-Monster-Turbine-Headphones?ugid=10000000021535680

How much did the item cost and did you buy it on debit or credit card?

If you bought it on a credit card and it cost more than £100, you will be protected as your bank is equally liable for the product under s75 Consumer Credit Act.

If you bought it on a debit card, you will probably be protected by visa's chargeback scheme.

It is worth contacting your bank about this.

Trading standards won't be able to help. Unfortunately, you are now just an unsecured creditor in an insolvent entity. You won't be able to get your money back from Comet. Do check the news though, if Comet get bought out by a private equity fund they might honour Comet's previous committments to consumers.

I'd personally walk in there and lift a TV or something and use it as equity until they played ball. Police wouldn't have a hand in it as it is a strictly civil matter in my opinion.

Obviously, in reality, you'd be the criminal, police would come and nick you, comet would get TV and headphones and resell both.

What con-artists.

To be fair to Comet in this instance, they didn't carry out the 'con' - they were conned.

Steampowered has given good advice about credit and debit card chargebacks - it's probably the best way of dealing with it.

Whoever sells counterfeit goods, even unknowingly, commits a crime. The store manager should be reported and prosecuted.

Whoever sells counterfeit goods, even unknowingly, commits a crime. The store manager should be reported and prosecuted.

Some people.