Verified: 13 March 2026 06:12 am UK Time
Industry: Retail
Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
Primary Regulators: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) & Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Important Safety Warning: Beware of fake customer service numbers on search engines. Only use official channels. Scammers frequently buy ads to promote fraudulent phone numbers. Argos staff will never ask for your account PIN, your Nectar card password, or ask you to move money to a “safe account” over the phone.
Level 1: Customer Support (Initial Complaint)
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How to complain: You can raise a complaint directly via their online Live Chat or by calling their official customer service routing number. If your complaint is regarding an in-store purchase, you can also speak to the Store Manager at your local Argos or Sainsbury’s concession.
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General Enquiries & Complaints: 0345 640 2020
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Source Verification Note: Argos Help & Contact Portal
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Availability: Telephone support and Live Chat are available Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (UK Time).
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Timeline: Argos aims to resolve initial complaints within 7 days.
Level 2: Formal Corporate Escalation (Notice of Dispute)
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Who to contact: If standard customer service cannot resolve the issue, you must formally escalate it in writing. Send a letter detailing your order/receipt number, a timeline of the issue, and your desired resolution. You must explicitly request a “Deadlock Letter” if they refuse your proposed resolution.
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Complaints Address: Argos Customer Relations, Argos Limited, 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT
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Timeline: Under UK consumer law guidelines, Argos has a maximum of 8 weeks to issue a final resolution or a Deadlock Letter.
Level 3: Regulatory Authority (The Financial Route)
- Authority: Your Bank OR Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
- The Reality: Your legal escalation path depends entirely on how you paid for the item:
- Scenario A: Paid via standard Debit/Credit Card: There is no statutory ombudsman for general retail purchases in the UK. If Argos refuses to refund you for faulty, misdescribed, or undelivered goods, you must immediately contact your bank and claim a breach of contract under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (for credit cards) or request a Chargeback (for debit cards).
- Scenario B: Paid via Argos Card / Argos Pay: Argos credit facilities are provided by NewDay Ltd, which is strictly regulated by the FCA. If you have a dispute regarding the credit agreement, hidden fees, or a faulty item bought on the Argos Card, you can escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for a legally binding ruling. (Website: financial-ombudsman.org.uk)
Level 4: Legal Action (Final Step)
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Pre-Litigation: Before commencing legal proceedings, UK legal protocols require you to send a formal “Letter Before Action” (LBA) to Argos’s corporate legal headquarters. This letter must outline your claim, the exact legal breach (e.g., Consumer Rights Act 2015), the evidence, and the financial remedy you seek, giving them a final 14 to 30 days to settle.
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Legal Address: Legal Department, Argos Limited, 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT
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Court: If the LBA fails and your bank refuses a chargeback, you can file a lawsuit. For financial claims up to £10,000 in England and Wales, you can use the Money Claim Online (MCOL) portal to enter the Small Claims Track.
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Source Verification: Make a court claim for money (GOV.UK)
Community Action: Is Argos still refusing to refund your faulty electronics or ignoring an Argos Pay credit dispute? Reply below (do not share your passwords, full receipt numbers, or PINs), and our community will point you to the right Section 75 or Small Claims Court templates!