I had a recent dispute with them recently also and can honestly say they are the worst online retailer I have dealt with in the last 10+ years.
I purchased their new oscellating bet/bobbin sander, basically switched it on for the first time and it went bang and the oscillation stopped, however the bobbin still rotated.
Rang them and they collected, no problem with that, however a could smell a rat straight away as I requested a brand new machine, taking into account it physically had not been used, and all thoughout the phone call, even though I kept on insisting I wanted a brand new replacement, they would never confirm this and they "would have a look at it first".
Think you may have guessed whats coming as when I rang them the next day to see what was happening they confirmed it would be returned the following day with a new motor, a replacement drive belt, and a new switch!!.
After a few more phone calls to other people within Rutlands that I was passed on to as I was getting nowhere with getting a replacement machine I started to mail them aswell because I wanted some written communication from them as I could see the way this was going and was informed to mail Mark Taberham their M.D. and dare I say his attitude was awful.
He couldn't understand what the issue was as they had acted honourably and "had fixed it under the 3 month warranty".
I thought all goods were supplied with 12 months however he said it was only 3 months from the manufacturer?
I still insisted I wanted either a brand new machine, or a refund, and not too bother sending the original back as I wouldn't accept delivery, mind durning the e mails I placed a damming review of the machine on their website, which surprisingly didn't get there, I wonder why?, looks as they must vet the reviews, which I thought may have been illegal?
Anyway, cut an even longer story short he did eventuallyy give me a refund, however I would have seen it though and went to court if needed because I'm 100% sure I would have won under "the sale of goods act".
I think I'm a reasonable sort of bloke, and had the machine been used a few times would more than likely accepted a repair, but with the machine basically running for a second, no way.
Whether I would deal with Rutlands again, given the choice, definately not, however like most things it comes down to cost, but if the same item was only a few pounds more with a different company, there's no way Rutlands would ever get my business ever again.
You have been warned.....but sounds as though most of you already know!
Phil