Re: Having to take an item back to the store
Not exactly 'taking an item back to the store', as carrying an American-style fridge-freezer back to a store would be rather difficult.
Some years ago we bought a Samsung fridge-freezer from Argos. It was fine until, not long after the warranty had expired, problems arose: severe icing up, and it was listed as 'frost free'.
Searching online, I discovered that there was a design fault in the model involving a sensor. Several sources claimed that this should be replaced by the manufacturer free of charge, since not only was it a common design fault but also a replacement kit had been produced by the manufacturer.
Consequently, I contacted Samsung who denied all responsibility for the matter.
I next called Argos whose attitude was the complete opposite. They agreed to pay for a specified company to replace the sensor, an interior panel and some associated connections free of charge.
This was done, and the thing has performed perfectly since.
As far as I know it still is, although since we had a new kitchen fitted (including a smaller fridge-freezer), we passed on the Samsung fridge-freezer to a relative of my wife.
I suppose that, although they say that any complaints should be made to the retailer rather than the manufacturer, if a product has a known design fault the manufacturer should act. I don't know, but I hope that Argos made a claim against Samsung.