Cracked tea pot- goods not fit for purpose....

I have a dilemma & wondered if you could advise... I bought a tea pot, 2 mugs & 3 breakfast bowls with a view to buying a lot more of the set. Anyway, have discovered a small hole in the top of the teapot (very small) one of the mugs is chipped on the handle & I broke one by simple knocking it over on a draining board. One of the bowls has a chip at the bottom & today, I discovered the teapot has actually hairline cracks around the base, not leaking as such but leaving a dirty ring on the outside. Very frustrated as these weren't particularly cheap, teapot 15€, mug 5€ & breakfast bowl 6€... could I take them back & ask for a refund as, especially the teapot, is not fit for purpose. I bought them last Monday from Maison du Mondes in Chateauroux. The chips, may or may not have been there, but as it is new I have been very careful with it. The teapot hasn't been in the dishwasher (although it supposedly can) & it looks as though the cracks could have occurred from the boiling water...... I will try to post a photo later, thanks

Hello er indoors on the old site was a posting of consumer rights in france hope it will help you www.conso.net/

The Maisons du Monde web site says that you can return any items within 7 days for a full refund. I don't know whether this just applies to web purchases.

Their warranty conditions copied from their English language web site are as follows:

The Products are warranted to be free from defects in design and materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of delivery. During the warranty period, Maisons du Monde will exchange or refund the Products found by us to be defective. Products exchanged shall be covered for the remainder of the warranty period. This warranty does not cover:

   Any damage to the Product resulting from normal wear and tear, given its nature, function, composition and price;
   Slight differences in the Products as defined in article 2.1;
   Products exposed to excessively heavy use, specifically involving other than private use.
   Any damage to the Product resulting from improper installation, storage, or assembly (non-compliance with assembly instructions), improper maintenance, misuse or use not in compliance with the technical or use specifications (non-compliance with maintenance and care instructions), modifications or repairs made by you or a third party, damage caused by other objects (heavy television placed on a unit not designed for this purpose), outside events such as accidents, shocks, fire, vandalism, water damage, natural or artificial light (discoloration) natural catastrophes or bad weather.

   As from the date of purchase, sofas identified on their product data sheet as benefiting from the 5-year warranty are guaranteed:
   5 years for the frame, legs, fasteners, convertible sofa mechanism, fabric backing, foam padding.
   2 years for back cushion and seat cushion stuffing.
   1 year for sofabed upholstery and mattresses.

5.2 Invoking the warranty

To invoke the warranty, you must contact the Maisons du Monde customer service department at the following number: 02.51.71.17.73
You must have the original invoice in order to benefit from the warranty.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the response's.... I have had a busy week & the kids are currently on holiday & am planning on taking them back on Monday which is 14 days (already missed the 7 day deadline anyway).... will have to see what happens.....

There was a thread on the old forum which, if I remember well, told you how to go about getting a refund instead of having to accept a credit note for purchase of goods in the same shop or an exchange of goods for the same.

Perhaps someone can help 'er indoors with this?

Basically, you should get a refund, as the goods do not come up to reasonable expectations, ie. a teapot should not crack when boiling water is poored into it, as that is what a teapot is for. So you should get your money back. Demand to see the manager of the shop and don't let yourself get fobbed off.

Bon courage  .

Here's one I posted on the old forum ...
http://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/consumer-topics/buying-of-goods-and-services/shopping-in-france/guarantee/