How to deal with this return.

[go-tazz]

Bought an item that my OH wanted and it ended up that it's not fit for purpose.

It is a sink heater that uses a built in element to heat the water and it plugs into a power point.

Problem is when installed and the handle is moved more than a quarter turn to the left (the hot side) it will throw

the cut out switch as it uses to much power.

It's rated at 3000 W but it's the only item that we've ever had that does this.

Another major problem is that the plug is upside and if you plug it in you can't reach the switch and if you

switch it on first and then plug it in it pushes the switch off (so can't be turned on).

Initially put it into a power pack but that would never work either as that can't be left anywhere safe.

So in reality the product can't be used as intended and the plug is not shown anywhere in the listing (it it had

being shown there wouldv'e been no purchase).

A few messages have gone back and forth and I did ask if they would send a label but they want me to send it

back by the cheapest form and keep the receipt as they state that buyer pays return postage in their refunds

blurb but this is their fault for not simply checking the plug so they should be paying.. 

It measures 30 cm x 27.5 x 13.5 cm and weighs over 1.1 kgs.

So I can take it to a NSW post office so that it's same state so it seems it's $14.85 or $17.65 if it fits in a 5kg

prepaid satchel but it has to be sent with tracking (so another $2.95 on top?)..

Or do I just start a return dispute as eBay states:

If you're sending an item back because it doesn't match the listing or it arrived damaged or faulty:

• The seller pays for return postage.
• The seller should provide a way for you to return the item, or offer you a refund.
• You'll need to send it back using the postage label or other method provided by the seller.

[padi*0409]

Maybe try a double adaptor so that you have access to the on/off switch first Tazz ? Or is the cutout switch tripping more the problem ?

[davewil1964]

3kw is 12.5 amps.

Standard power points are only rated at 10A and the entire circuit should have a 15A circuit breaker on it. So if you're using any other appliances on the same circuit it SHOULD trip.

Either way, you would end up melting the power point drawing that much through it.

[gutterpunkz05]

I hardly see that it is the sellers fault,  they have no idea what type of outlet you wish to plug it into, in any event a 1m  extension cord will solve the switch problem.   The bigger problem  is that your power circuit is not sufficient to operate the device, which again, the seller can hardly know, what your circuit is rated at and definately what other items are operating on the same circuit.

If you use the official return request, you may be required to pay the postage both ways.

[go-tazz]

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@padi*0409 wrote:

Maybe try a double adaptor so that you have access to the on/off switch first Tazz ? Or is the cutout switch tripping more the problem ?

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The whole thing just doesn't work as intended and the cut out is too much of a problem and the plug is supposed

to just plug in (it's also a major problem so it can't be put into a standard household power system as that's 10a

and this draws more than that).

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@davewil1964 wrote:

3kw is 12.5 amps.

Standard power points are only rated at 10A and the entire circuit should have a 15A circuit breaker on it. So if you're using any other appliances on the same circuit it SHOULD trip.

Either way, you would end up melting the power point drawing that much through it.

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Thanks for that (something else I can inform them about that it's NOT rated for 10A as they informed me but 12.5).

It kept tripping the power pack so that would only have been the 10A (nothing else was on the same power

point that I used so it was the cause of the tripping).

The main circuit breaker is 15A and it didn't trip (I checked at the meter without moving the water lever and the

wheel was going a lot quicker than when the kettle is on so I knew it was definitely drawing too much power).

[go-tazz]

Their listing doesn't show this plug (only a cord bit going into a socket so it should've been a straight forward

plug in which it wasn't and a 1m extension cord shouldn't be needed on an item that shows a standard plug).

Their design is for a plug to go into a wall socket like other items not an upside down plug which clearly hasn't

been tested for usefulness.

Part of their message to me: Thank you for your message, this item is 3000W, so it need at least 10A circuit.

It is clearly not suitable for a 10 A circuit and therefore their fault for selling an item that doesn't meet the

Aussie standards for household devices (Aussie seller).

Why would I have to pay postage both ways (for a start it's a return and not an exchange and they are at fault

for selling an item that's not fit for purpose).

[gutterpunkz05]

Via the return process, if they dispute item not as described and instead offer a change of mind exchange, then you are now required to pay all postage costs.  (Both ways).  Sorry, but I do not see it as INAD.  I have dozens of Plugs exactly as you have shown and all have come with genuine Australian   standard  equipment, purchased from  B&M Stores.  As stated the seller has no idea what kind of socket you intend to use the item with.  Anyway,  best of luck with it.

[davewil1964]

However, by law (and Australian standards), anything with a rating over 2400w CANNOT be fitted with a standard 10 amp plug. Which this has.

It should (and probably originally did) have a 15 amp plug. These have a much larger earth pin so you can't plug them into a 10 amp socket.

That being the case, the item is not fit for purpose, nor as described.

[gutterpunkz05]

Seeing as it is from a chinese seller, it is likely to be well under  3000W.   They are notorious for overstating wattages, lumen, etc.

I would not risk installing or operating the item.  As for the pic of the plug/socket, it is difficult to tell what kind of outlet it is connected to, but  quite possibly not Australian standard with pics more than likely taken in china.   Dont know why they have taken the time to include a red  square around the socket pics

[go-tazz]

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@gutterpunkz05 wrote:

Seeing as it is from a chinese seller, it is likely to be well under  3000W.   They are notorious for overstating wattages, lumen, etc.

As I stated Aussie seller (NSW).

Probably the item is from China but the seller has to abide by the Aussie regulations.

I would not risk installing or operating the item.  As for the pic of the plug/socket, it is difficult to tell what kind of outlet it is connected to, but  quite possibly not Australian standard with pics more than likely taken in china.   Dont know why they have taken the time to include a red  square around the socket pics

They you can see that their pics do not match the plug that they supplied it with.

They have also stated a different address than what's on the listing.

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A standard Aussie powerpoint has the on/off switch above the plug and as can clearly be seen in the pics I

posted part of that plug system covers the on/off switch so that it can't be turned on.