Faulty rug

[ironhorse]

I've got a rug which has shrunk dramatically after being professionally cleaned - the rug cleaning company says it used its normal techniques etc
I'd like to send it back to the manufacturer, but there's one problem, I bought it second hand but in 'as new' condition. Still have the orginal bag but not the tags.
Looks like its a fault with the rug fabric - this rug clean company has cleaned masses of rugs for us with no problems.
Does the rule of goods not being fit for purpose apply when you're not the original purchaser? It was a top quality, expensive stable rug.

 

[floradora09]

Hmm, I wouldn't have thought the company would take it back as you don't have all the tags etc etc, but I guess it's worth a go?! I'd also say it depends which company you got it from, if it's a big one that sells a lot anyway, they may not be too bothered about the odd problem, especially if it wasn't you who bought it in the first place. However smaller companies may be happy to? Who knows?! x

 

[Patches]

I have bought all of my rugs new with tags and yet I wouldn't have the tags after the rug had been worn, let alone cleaned.

I think it would certainly be worth an email to the company in question to complain. There is nothing in the material of turnout/stable rugs which should be prone to shrinkage, so it's a very unusual problem. However, if you are referring to a fleece/cooler then I guess it's possible that shrinkage is a possible risk during cleaning.

Is the rug still clearly labelled as the size you bought? (Over time the labels can fade.) If it is, and it's now not that size, I fail to see how they can argue?

Do you have any pictures of your horse wearing it before it was cleaned which you can compare against a picture of your horse now clearly not fitting it?

There's always the chance the rug company will blame the cleaning company and you'll find yourself on a never ending circle of buck passing.

Good luck.

 

[unicornleather]

Echo what Patches has just said.
The ONLY thing I can think of that might possibly shrink a little is if the rug had a cotton lining ?
All the webbing and binding is of a synthetic material and shouldn't shrink as is the outer and infill, it's all synthetic.
Only old jute rugs will shrink if the water is too hot but no one seems to use them very much at all these days .
I have used VERY hot water on modern stable rugs in the past and they haven't shrunk, you HAVE to sometimes to get the urine,sweat and manure out!
I doubt anything the cleaning company did mucked the rug up.
Hope you get it sorted!
Oz

 

[Kat]

Righ for the record if an item is faulty you can return it even if it is worn and does not have original tags. All you need is proof of purchase and this does not have to be a receipt.

OP you are in a more difficult position as you bought the rug second hand. However I do think that it is worth approaching the manufacturer and asking that they replace the rug. If they are a reputable manufacturer they may well replace it anyway.

You could also approach the person you bought it from for a refund although if they are a private sale I don't fancy your chances.

You do however have a contract with the cleaner and they should have used appropriate methods with which to clean the rug I think they may well be your best bet for a refund.

 

[Donkeymad]

[ QUOTE ]


You do however have a contract with the cleaner and they should have used appropriate methods with which to clean the rug I think they may well be your best bet for a refund.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is how I see it, and you may have to prove the rug was cleaned exactly as instructed, which I doubt the Rug cleaning company can do, seeing as they used a 'standard' method, which may not be the 'specifics' for this rug.

 

[Louby]

I would take it back up with the cleaner. Our yard had our rugs cleaned a couple of years ago by a reputable company. All the HW rugs came back shrunk. The cleaner did eventually admit to someone else cleaning them whilst they were away and to be fair did compensate the owner. Different firm was used last year and a different owner had HW rugs cleaned and they have shrunk (depth wise). Either its HW rugs, touch wood mine have always been ok and wasnt sent last year or the cleaners are washing them wrong. I was told HW rugs have to be done differently???

 

[scally]

Only the purchaser of an item, can use the Sale of Goods Act, as it is them and not you that has the contract with the company/shop etc. Your contract of sale was with whom you purcahsed the rug off of, which at the time fitted.

However, if your rug has shrunk, it is more likely to be the cleaning that has caused the problem, as the rug fitted prior to this, so was fit for purpose.

Your cleaner, needs to describe exactly the cleaning process to you, you will need to send the rug away for testing and getting results in your favour to be able to take action, but most cleaners do have a disclaimer up about shrinkage.