Poor Tracey, what a way to treat a customer! I would be writing a strongly worded letter - or at least reading the small print on your cover to see where you stand, then writing accordingly.

I had a similar experience with my washing machine I bought from my local Hydro-Electric shop and when I bought it was around the £300 mark then I took out a £200ish cover for 5 years....by the way how long was your cover for £200 for? Fortunately, when my machine broke down it was within the five years and it was through Domestic & General and if it had not been, I would have been nearly £300 to replace the whole machine as the whole central drum needed replacing....but fortunately I was covered.

I feel that these extra insurances are sold at the time....almost like PPI we hear so much about, and are not always cost-effective...when you next buy something electrical, why not then contact a company like Domestic & General who are covering all of my kitchen appliances, cooker, fridge-freezer and washing machine....on a kitchen plan for only £12.99 no questions asked! That is good service, and they are a great company to deal with.

I know it maybe doesn't help you too much to know these things now, but Tracey, you are a person who stands up for your rights, and I know you will with this....but it does make you wary of Argos, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing this with us.

Argos do use Domestic & General for there breakdown cover but everyone ask to read the leaflet to see what is covered with the insurance before you buy it .

Tracey, I have given some thought to your dilemma, and I feel sure that under consumer rights, your year long guarantee should cover you for EVERYTHING for the first year. I really would state your case in the strongest terms in a letter and hope you get some satisfaction. I think the first year is a MANUFACTURER'S GUARANTEE and as such, should definitely cover everything.

sorry didn't see that bit my cover was i think for 3 years 1+2 or 4years 1+3 just waiting for them to send my policy to check but one of those to.

Tracey, I also had trouble with Argos a few years ago and at the same store in Gateshead.
What I would suggest you do is contact the Managing Director either by letter or email and state your case, as I think one or two basic customer rights may have been forgotten here.

email. raye.summers@argos.co.uk
or by letter at
Raye Summers MD
Argos
489-499 Avebury Boulevard
Saxon Gate West
Milton Keynes
MK9 2NW

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

I totally agree with you about the basic customer rights being forgotten, George, and it is interesting that you had trouble in the same store. Lightning does strike in the same place twice!

Yes, Tracey, do let us know how it turns out.

I created a topic earlier this month with my HDTV it was brought brand new from comic it arrived and it had a faulty pixel, It's a shame that it comes to this, we have the breakdown cover but they just wouldnt change it, so we demanded a refund, and they did it, They say it needs to have so many pixels before it can be replaced, i don't know why, it is annoying specially with dots everything and if it's flashing it catches you're eye, i would suggest you read the terms and conditions from where you're tv is manufactured.

Thankyou for all your comments i will try georges one and see what happens will let you know if i get any where xx

When I moved to the Dales 10 years ago I bought A new washing washing machine, a tumble dryer and a cooker from a local dealer. I asked about additional warranty covers and was told don't bother he said if they go wrong we'll come round and fix it.The initial cost including delivery and plumbing and wirering everything in. I did have something go wrong with the washing machine about 5 years ago, I rang them and they fixed it the same day and no cost.Although the initail cost might have been less had i bought them from a big dealer, there is something to be said for a local dealer.

Thats excellent service Crusty. Shame they all don't do that!

It is always a good idea to buy local, Crusty, absolutely agree! We bought an electric fire from our local dealer and have had it for nearly 10 years....it has gone wrong twice and each time all it required was to be taken into their workshop and given a strip down and good clean out of fluff and it was fine afterwards...not that we do not dust it regularly you understand!! it is just that there are parts that hoovers cannot reach!

I would just like to thank George for giving me raye summers e-mail address as i did use it and with in 2 hrs Jill from his team was on the phone to me to sort the problem out for me you dont say pixels you say ghosting Jill got someone out the next day to look at it it needs a new screen this must be to much to fix as this afternoon i have just opened my post and in it was a insurance replacement voucher for a new tv going shopping on saturday so a big thankyou to George for your information and a big thankyou to Jill for your help too and thanks to Argos for the voucher and next time i will read the small print first.

Thank you, Tracey, for updating us on this. Gold stars to George for his help, well done George! Glad you got such a good result and happy shopping/spending!