An Argos customer criticised the Swindon store for refusing to let him return his headphones for a refund.

Paul Archer bought a £60 pair of Pioneer DJ HDJ-Cue 1 wireless headphones earlier this year and returned to the store inside Sainsbury’s Bridgemead last week because the ear cups were too uncomfortable.

A manager reportedly claimed the product was too damaged to return and refused to honour the 30-Day Hassle-Free Guarantee that the 54-year-old from Nine Elms thought would apply.

The retail chain argues that small print on the product’s page meant the refund would not have been awarded even if the product had been deemed to be in a re-sellable condition.

Mr Archer said: “I didn’t like the attitude of the store’s staff, I felt threatened, they were smirking at me, they made me feel silly and like it was my fault, like I had misused the headphones when I’d only worn them four times.

“I look after my stuff – my old pair still looks new after two years – so it was shocking for them to suggest I was trying to deceive them.

“I felt agitated and explained that I had autism but their manner didn’t change at all.

"I couldn't find fault with the headphones' condition but they were making a big thing about a barely-noticeable mark that could’ve been there when I bought them - you’d need a microscope to see it - and there was some dust in the cups.

Swindon Advertiser: Paul Archer claims that Argos staff refused to allow him to return his headphones because of this 'damage' (circled in white)Paul Archer claims that Argos staff refused to allow him to return his headphones because of this 'damage' (circled in white) (Image: Newsquest)

“I blew on the cups to try and help but then the staff member said they definitely couldn’t take the product back now because it was apparently a hygiene issue.”

Paul uses headphones to DJ from his home but found the new pair to be too small for his ears and decided to return it two weeks after the purchase date.

He pointed out the 30-Day guarantee on the back of his receipt and strongly disagreed with its suggestion that it would be 'hassle-free'.

An Argos spokesperson told the Adver, had missed some terms and conditions that made that guarantee invalid.

The spokesperson added: “Our 30-Day Money Back Guarantee explains that in order to provide a refund for items, they have to be unused.

“Some items are also excluded from the guarantee for hygiene reasons, including headphones.

“We are sorry for the disappointment this has caused.”