On Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:28:22 +0000 (GMT), charles
wrote:

snip

I bought a new 'basic' DVD player when my stepdaughter went into the
Hospice because she hadn't got long, daughter wanted to watch a
particular film with her and it might have taken a week to get a PAT
on an existing one (new didn't need testing).

That, of course, is a major fallacy.

The @concept' that it didn't *need* testing because it would
'automatically' be ok / pass you mean? Yes, I'm sure you are right.

We had a similar thing with a cooling fan when the Mrs was in having
her knee replacement and because all I cared about was helping her get
more comfortable, not wasting time arguing with 'the system', I went
and bought a new fan and set it up for her. We also left it there
afterwards in the hope it might help someone else (with their
agreement / approval / thanks).

You could spot the one we left as it was the one without the cables
showing that had been pulled out of the cable retainer, the cracked /
selotaped plug top or kinked / damaged cable. ;-(

I've tested - and failed - brand new
equipment.

Oh, I'm sure you have ... but the logic / irony (if a new one could
fail the PAT etc) of 'This fan is only 3 months old and in the same
condition as any new one from the shop' would have been wasted on them
(only protecting themselves etc).

Of course, it was easier to rectify the problme than to send it
back.

Often the case (saying more about some returns systems than simplicity
of the issues etc).

Cheers, T i m