Sweatband.com Treadmill in garage failed after 3mts - Not Covered by Warranty

[Em0149]

Hi 

I wonder if anyone can assist.

 

We purchased a proform treadmill from Sweatband.com approximately 3 months ago.

It is a fairly large treadmill and we purchased with the intention of putting into our garage which has electrical wiring and my partner has a turbo trainer already in there (has been for years).

 

when the treadmill got delivered the warranty documents advise against keeping it in the garage.

No where on the website for Sweatband or the manufacturer's website does it recommend the treadmill is not kept in the garage.

 

The sweatband website has a treadmill buyer's guide where it actually comments that people like to put treadmills in the garage but consider the head height. So it is only after you have purchased and taken delivery of the treadmill are you advised not to keep it in the garage. 

 

We took delivery and set it up on a proper gym mat.

We make sure to turn it off when not in use and to cover the treadmill when not in use.

It has been working fine.

 

I used it on Friday night

then on Saturday morning when I went to switch on the electrics have stopped. 

 

Sweatband are now redirecting us to the manufacturer who are saying we have the item in an unsuitable environment and this will void our warranty. 

The item is so big we cannot physically lift it out of the garage and we do not have a room in the house big enough to store it. 

 

Has anyone had any similar problems with treadmills in the garage and it affecting the warranty?

We feel we have been mis-sold a product as it is only after you have taken delivery are you told you cannot store in the garage despite the seller's guide making reference to where to store your treadmill and making reference to the garage but failing to warn it is against advice to store it there. We would have never bought the treadmill if we knew it was unsuitable for the garage. 

 

Also we made the transaction via paypal but using our credit card.

Do we have any protection with our credit card or paypal?

 

The cost was £1,500 so we do feel it should last longer than 3 months.

 

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks 

EM0149 

[Em0149]

Hi all 

 

Thank you so much for all your comments and advice, especially @bankfodder 

 

The treadmill was a Proform pro 1500. Icon are the manufacturer. 

 

Just to clarify this is the second machine we had. The initial treadmill we had for approx 2 months. Again this was working fine one day then would not switch on the next. We reported this to Sweatband who redirected us to the manufacturer. The problem was the same with the electrics however on that occasion the manufacturer indicated there was a problem with alignment of the running surface and they sent a replacement. Now the electric problem is the same issue but they are saying the item is in an unsuitable environmental. 

 

I have reviewed Sweatband's website again and now I notice there is a small Q & A section at the bottom which states as follows: 

 

"Can I keep this treadmill in my garage?

if your garage is insulated and is warm and dry throughout the year then it will be OK. However if it's an ordinary garage without heating or insulation we'd say it's better not to put it in there as cold and damp conditions may damage the electronic components." 

 

Do you think this now means we have no protection? I cannot say if this was on there when we purchased the treadmill. I am also reading a number of reviews from other people indicating the treadmill has packed in after short usage. These reviews are all after we made our purchase. 

 

Thank you again 

EM0149

[Em0149]

Hi 

 

The first one was purchased in August 2020 and returned in October. This is the link to the page. 

 

https://www.sweatband.com/proform-pro-1500-treadmill.html

 

We wanted to research our rights so we were clear on them before going back to the manufacturer or sweatband. The last communication was with the manufacturer who sweatband directed us to and the manufacturer told us the location of the treadmill was unsuitable and we had to move it our it would void our warranty. 

 

I wonder if you could be kind enough to let me know if you think the link above affects our protection under the consumer rights act? 

 

Thank you again 

EM0149

[Em0149]

@bankfodder 

 

We have not returned back to sweatband since speaking to the manufacturer. We wanted to research our legal rights in the first instance 

[Em0149]

Thank you very much for your response.

 

The first treadmill was delivered by courier arranged by Sweatband. The first one was picked up and the replacement delivered by a company called Panther instructed by the manufacturer Icon. Both were delivered into our garage. 

 

Both treadmills were installed by us. 

[Em0149]

@BankFodderthank you very much for your help and guidance. It has been extremely useful.

 

I have now contacted sweatband in writing setting out our position and that we want to rectify this situation with them 

I will let you know how i get on

 

Thanks

EM0149

 

Hi 

 

Further to my posts above. We have now received the following response from sweatband agreeing with the manufacturer that we cannot keep the treadmill in our garage: 

"Thanks for contacting us and I was sorry to read of the problems you are experiencing. Of course, we will try and assist you, however, they are correct with regards to location.
On our site, if you look at the product description there is the manual to view which mentions the conditions the unit needs to be kept in:. This is like all electronic, or items with electronic components, where they need to be kept away from moisture.
If you can arrange to get the unit inside, then we can arrange with Icon to deal with matters"

 

Any further advice would be appreciated? I appreciate buyer by aware and all but I feel a little as if we have been mis-sold this item. I am not sure of any other item where you are expected to read the user manual before purchasing the item. 

 

Thanks in advance 

[Em0149]

By way of an update. After some back and forth with Sweatband and most importantly a few online reviews their latest response is: 

 

"After discussions with management. 

 

They have also commented that the manual was available at the time of purchase to view regarding requirements of the location and that all purchased equipment needs some maintenance from time to time, but that it needs to be kept in the appropriate conditions. 

However, on this occasion, we are happy to organise the repair without charge, but if the machine is continued to be kept in the garage, it will invalidate the warranty and if the electronics fail again, any further service will be chargeable." 

 

Now, whilst this may fix the initial problem it is not a long term solution and I still believe we have protection under the consumer rights act 2015. Can anyone provide assistance on a reply? If they consider my understanding to be correct? 

 

Thanks 

Em0149 
 

[Em0149]

Many thanks. I will keep you updated.

Emc0149