Can I demand a refund?

[deso]

I bought a computer through a company (Palicomp) on e-bay about 3 weeks ago. It turned up a week later but it was dead on arrival. I arranged to return it (it was collected Tuesday 12th) but despite their promise that problems are resolved "usually within 3 working days" I haven't heard anything from them since. I've lost all confidence in them. Am I within my rights to demand a refund rather than accept a repaired or replacement machine?

[Kathyan]

If you paid by Paypal you can do a chargeback, but you must have sent the computer back by trackable means. If you haven't got proof that you returned it, you will not get your money back.

[loubagnall]

Under Sale of Goods Act 1979 goods that you buy have to be of satisfactory quality - which your computer wasn't.

[Hammer]

... and if you refuse the goods on these grounds within 'a reasonable amount of time' (in other words it never worked, not it did work for a while but then it broke) then you are entitled by law to a full refund.

Write them a stern email, mention the Sale of Goods Act and the small claims court and you should get a result.

[deso]

Thanks everyone. I did send an e-mail along the lines suggested by loubagnall and Hammer late last night, and, sod's law, when I got home today there was a missed delivery card through my door and an e-mail reply from the company to say it was despatched yesterday. I'll think about it tonight....