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Just ranting......

Why oh why do gun shops think the Sales of Goods Act doesn't apply to Firearms just as much as it does to TVs., pairs of jeans or spanners!!!!

If I bought it less than six months ago and it doesn't work properly anymore it is up to the retailer to either refund, repair or replace unless you can PROVE I caused the fault.

Saying a gun was in proof when you sold it doesn't mean the Sale of Goods Act has miraculously disappeared. The fault (a slightly curved barrel that is stopping a cleaning rod from going all the way down the barrel) could have been caused at any point after the proof house and before I bought the gun - the delivery driver could have dropped a pallet, the shop sales assistant could have leant on the box.....etc. etc. etc.

Less than six months old....the legal presumption is that it is the retails fault unless proved otherwise..... sign01

Just had a conversation today about this in another gun shop and their attitude was the same as where I bought the rifle.....you've shot it so it's your problem. BTW: I've only shot it once and was cleaning it after it's first outing when I found the problem.

Rant over.

Cheers

BTW: not named the shop I bought it from as they have sent the rifle off to the importer to 'see what they can do'....

It was almost six months before you shot it for the first time!!!???

What is it?

I definitely agree with you in the sale of stuff act, so many shop staff just don't know or care about their legal responsibilities.
I had several problems with an air rifle I bought new and lucky for me the shop I purchased it from have been great. Mainly I think because the manufacturer is UK based.

Mark

Indeed. I have also come across this. Fight strong - shops need to be told about the law sometimes. Hope you don't have to end up in court, but your points are right - you'd win!

Hi Bigfathairybiker, no was only 6 weeks or so when I shot it for the first time. Took it back to the shop about 2 weeks later when I was next in the area.

The 6 months thing is part of the Sales of Goods Act.

Very roughly speaking, less than 6 months old = retailer has to prove goods were damaged by the buyer; more than 6 months old, buyer has to prove the goods were faulty.

I've never known a shop NOT to back down when you threaten them with trading standards. If you get stuck use it.

Crikey just how much of a bend is in the barrel if you can't push a cleaning rod through the bore?

Is the cleaning rod straight ?

Yep rod is straight. Checked using the shops as well. Bend appears quite gentle but enough to be noticable.

Make and model? And did you buy the gun new, or is it just new to you and a used model?

Brand new in the box Walther (Umarex) Uzi.

Shot ok but I wasn't trying for pinpoint accuracy - was shooting mostly from the hip at 4 pint milk jugs 20 yards away