What issues can occur when a customer returns goods?
When a customer returns goods, often the shop or business will
claim to have some problematic returns policy in place, making
refunds or any other kind of assistance impossible. However, many
of these policies are only there to confuse you about your rights
and do not actually have any relevance to consumer law.
The Sale of Goods Act 1979 actually dictates the legal standing
with regard to returns. Goods provided must be of "satisfactory"
quality or the retailer is required to refund, replace or repair
them.
The right to a refund is waived once a certain amount of time
has elapsed since the purchase, but replacement and repairs are
still a legal requirement if the item was faulty when
purchased.
If a customer returns goods to a retailer, the retailer is
legally obligated to assist. Manufacturer warranties and guarantees
do not override this responsibility; it ultimately comes down to
the seller.
For more information about returns, goods and consumer
protection laws, check out our free Consumer Rights guide.
Claims Financial