written by seriousstuff on 05/01/2016
Oponeo have good prices for their tyres. If everything goes fine, you are ok. But beware...
I got a set of 4 Continental tyres from them. One of them turned out to be faulty. I asked them to replace it. I have provided them with photos and two independent professional opinions. Oponeo decided to take the tyre back for inspection. They organised a courier without even telling me so obviously the tyre wasn't ready. Then they refused to organise another one becasue according to their records the tyre had already been collected. After many e-mails and phone calls they organised another collection.
Then, instead of accepting my claim (the flaw was obvious, especially with two independent opinions) they sent the tyre to the manufacturer for them to make the decision and asked me to wait for up to 3 months (!). It is against all European consumer laws for the seller to transfer responsibility to the manufacturer when dealing with the client's claim who is entitled to have a replacement or refund organised within 30 days - check it yourself as I could not post the link to the European Directive. It is then up to the seller to make a claim against manufacturer. Oponeo know better.
Do you think they managed to have my claim sorted in 3 months? Nope! It took them SIX months to finally accept the fact that the tyre was faulty and offered a refund. Good timing as with the help of my solicitor I was already drafting a claim under a European Small Claims Procedure before my local District Court.
My advice - do not fall for the price! I lost hours and hours on e-mailing them, looking for the legislation, presenting my arguments etc. Such a waste of time! It is just not worth it.
Update: the refund I received did not cover VAT for the tyre replacement, nor the difference in price of the new tyre. I won't sue them for €3.70.
Oponeo? Never again!