You as a Consumer
If you’ve saved some hard earned cash and decided to splash out on a shopping spree you will want to make sure that you get value for money and don’t get ripped off.
What you need to know:
- When you buy something in a shop or market, you and the seller are making a legal contract.
- According to the law, the goods must be of a satisfactory quality and be safe, fit for the purpose you are buying them for and be as they are described by the seller or on the label or sign.
- The item must not be damaged unless this is pointed out by the seller at the time you bought the item.
- If you buy something in a sale your rights are the same, but sale goods can be sold with a defect. If this has been pointed out, you cannot ask for a refund.
- If you buy second hand goods you have the same rights as when buying new goods unless a fault is obvious or is pointed out to you at the time.
Your Rights when Shopping - Questions and Answers
I bought a DVD player and then found it £30.00 cheaper at another shop down the road – can I demand a refund?
No – each
shop can sell the goods at the price it chooses. It is up to you
to shop around and get the best price. Some shops may be willing
to give a refund but they are not obliged to.
I
bought a pair of jeans and when I got home I realised the zip was
broken. I took them back to the shop with the receipt but they
pointed out a sign saying ‘no refunds’
and refused to give me my money back but offered me a credit
note.
If
the jeans are faulty and you have proof of purchase you are entitled
to your money back (unless you were told about the fault at the
time of purchase). The sign on the shop wall does not apply to
faulty goods.
I
bought a CD but changed my mind when I got home. I took the unopened
CD back to the shop with the receipt but was refused a refund or
exchange. Is this right?
You
are not entitled to a refund just because you have changed your
mind - however most large stores do have a policy of offering refunds – if
you think you might want to take something back – check
out the refund policy before you buy.
I want to return some faulty goods to a shop but I’ve lost the receipt what can I do?
The shop should accept other proofs of purchase such as a cheque stub or bank or credit card statement.
Last Updated: 07-Oct-2009
