Letterkenny charity shop advised by Judge to consider piano refund

A Letterkenny charity shop has been advised to ‘think again’ after refusing to refund a woman who paid €400 for a broken piano.
Denise O’Boyle paid €400 for the 85-year-old piano at the Good And New charity shop in the town and a further €200 for it to be delivered to her home and tuned.
According to today’s Irish Independent, she saught to return the item when she was informed by an expert that it could not be tuned.
The shop refused tor efund on the basis that the piano was bought as seen.
Denise O’Boyle, from Killybegs, told the Small Claims Court in Letterkenny yesterday that she had priced various pianos but said they cost in the region of €3,000 and was delighted when she saw the piano in the charity shop for €400.
She brought a friend with her to view the piano, but admitted the woman was not a piano expert.
“She just knew that it didn’t have woodworm, and we thought it was okay then,” said Ms O’Boyle.
However, when a piano tuner arrived at her home, Ms O’Boyle was told the piano was only worth €50.
Ms O’Boyle is seeking her money back from the Good and New Charity shop on Port Road.
However, solicitor for the shop, Karen McGinley, said the piano was bought in good faith.
She said a long time had elapsed between when it was bought in January this year and when the complaint was made in June.
Adjourning the case, Judge Paul Kelly said it was unfortunate that the case had come to court adding that he thought the shop might like to reconsider the matter.