EE Tablet illegality of returns policy?

A question about : EE Tablet illegality of returns policy?

Hi MSE Forum. I would like to question my rights as a customer of Orange/EE (over 20 years) whether I can return a tablet that I signed up to having, from my local EE shop. I had no intention to get a tablet at all, but was persuaded by the manager to have one as well as upgrading my mobile. After an hour of trying to set up my mobile and tablet I realised I had made a mistake. Although the tablet (an Alcatel One-touch Pop 7S) was easy to set up initially, the performance of the tablet was far inferior to the mobile, especially the screen. It was hazy, slow to react and far less responsive compared to the very ordinary Samsung mobile. Surely it is unreasonable to be able to make a proper assessment of a tablet only in a couple of minutes in a shop environment. I did not operate it! On EE’s website apparently you can only return a product if it’s faulty or if there’s a bad signal in your area; also you have to return it within 14 days. Surely this is illegal. Don’t I have a cooling off period when I can return a product if I’m not satisfied with it? The staff at the shop said I could only return it at the manager’s discretion. However I have returned 3 times to the shop and I’ve been given various excuses why he can’t see me, i.e. ‘at a conference’ or on a ‘conference call’ etc. What are the consumer’s rights in this situation and can I return the tablet?

Best answers:

• In essence you wish to return the tablet because you don't like it.
  The shop are under no obligation to let you do so but as you say there may be some discretion from the manager, if you can get hold of him.
• Nobody limited you to 2 minutes in the shop.
  And no, it's not illegal. The statutory cooling off period is for distance purchases only - when you really are unable to try the item you are buying.
  MSE article: Consumer Rights