Poor quality Cookworks products

[syorks 1]

I believe Cookworks is Argos's own brand for kitchen electrical goods. I have used their kettles for years and am usually lucky if they last much longer than 12 months, but at the price, that is fair enough, they get a lot of use.

I also have a Cookworks Deep Fat Fryer which cost £19.99, 22 months ago. So it is out of guarantee, no problem there, but it has hardly been used and has just broken in a dangerous way. The basket and handle are joined by a metal and plastic mechanism that relies on a very small piece of plastic to lock them together, and that piece of plastic has sheered straight across which could easily have resulted in the whole fryer being pulled over. So I have made several attempts to notify Argos and ask what I can do, as it seems stupid throwing the whole appliance away for the sake of a piece of plastic that would cost a fraction of a penny in the manufacturing process. With any other supplier/manufacturer I am sure I could either buy a spare part, new handle, or even the handle and basket combined. But Argos's responses have been very negative.

a/ They don't supply any spare parts for Cookworks products.

b/ If I take it back to a store and give it them back they will send it back to China.

c/ If I think it is dangerous, I should pay for an Independent report (costing much more than the product) and then take the report and product to a shop and they will look into it.

So the only practical solution is to throw it in the bin.

 

I am disappointed in Argos for not taking this seriously. They aren't the company they used to be.... fortunately there are many others. Hopefully no one will get scalded by this product.

[syorks 1]

Thanks for all the feedback... don't worry I've sorted it myself.

[rebel11 2,997]

Hi sy

 

Sorry sometimes posts get threw, your covered by the SOGA. Number 10,12 and 13 in my signature.

[blitz 482]

For H+S issues - If you have an item, even if it is over a year old which could potentially or has inflicted injury or damage take it into any store, tell them that it is unsafe and INSIST they send it for a QC inspection (What is called in HRG as a Haznot).