My Currys fridge broke down – but small print left me feeling the chill

LAST year, I purchased a fridge freezer from Currys for my burger van business. Staff confirmed it would be suitable for use in garages, outbuildings and garden sheds.

In August, I found it was not holding a satisfactory temperature. I had a Team Knowhow service plan until 2021, so I called and was advised to turn the fridge off for 24 hours and then turn it on again.

Ten minutes later, Knowhow called to say the policy had been cancelled and that it would not investigate the problem further as the unit was in a burger van. I was told to expect a £114 refund within 28 days.

I followed the advice to turn it off and on again, but after 36 hours nothing worked except the light!

I heard nothing more from Currys, so chased it in September for the care plan refund. It said it had sent the cheque, but agreed to cancel it and send a new one.

I told the person from customer service that I was totally disheartened by their approach and would be going to the Daily Mail, to which they replied: ‘Yes . . . whatever.’

I. F., by email. ‘Yeah . . . whatever’ seems to sum up the approach of many customer service departments.

You were clearly given the impression that this fridge freezer was suitable for your needs. Yet it failed.

In fact, the brand you chose — Beko — is known for being useful in cooler conditions, whereas some stop operating properly in ambient temperatures of below 10c or, in some cases, below 15c.

It says something about fridge technology that you have to keep your kitchen warm for it to work properly.

however, your problem occurred in august, so surely that wasn’t as a result of the ambient temperature being too low.

Well, Currys has now paid you £334, which is a full refund of your support agreement and a partial refund for the fridge freezer.

It has also apologised for the ‘negative experience’ you had and say your comments on both the customer service team and the service you received have been noted and forwarded to the relevant management teams for internal review. I HAVE an account with the Post Office which has been inactive for several years.

I am 93 and having treatment for cancer, so I would like to tidy up my affairs.

My card was declined at the Post Office, so I tried ringing the 0345 number. The person I spoke to said the money had been transferred to another bank and I should check an old statement.

I did look and could not see that any money had been transferred. The amount is probably very small.

G. H., Yorkshire. Post office leapt into action when I presented it with your letter. the good news is that it has found your account; the bad is that, as you suspected, the amount in it is indeed tiny — only £2.35.

Both the Post office and I have written to you to confirm this, and the Post office will be sending you a cheque.

It seems that it sent a letter in November 2016 saying the account would be closed because the amount in it was so small. however, as you had moved house, the letter was sent to the wrong address.

I hope this sets your mind at rest. ON CHECKING my online bank statement, I discovered Sky had added £49.49 to my monthly subscription.

I rang up and was informed the charge was for an order placed in September for a Game Of Thrones box-set — a series I have never watched and have no interest in. The staff member was adamant the order had been placed and was genuine because to do so requires my PIN, which only I know as I live on my own.

After several minutes on the phone, it became clear I am stuck with this charge.

A. E., Llanelli. No INterest in Game of thrones? so to you the phrase ‘winter is coming’ is perhaps merely a reference to this weekend’s weather forecast?

and you aren’t waiting to discover the fate of Jon snow and Daenerys targaryen in the final series this year?

I believe you have grandchildren and I wonder if they were keen to catch up on the series? Could one of them have inadvertently bought it when visiting?

sky’s records show the order was placed, even though you say you have no knowledge of it.

No matter! sky accepts that you have never previously used its Buy & Keep option during your 19 years using its service.

It has refunded you the £49.49 and explained to you how Buy & Keep works, so there will be no mistakes in future.