  Consumer Rights Whether you're young or old, money is money isn't it? A ten pound note's worth the same in the hands of a teenager as it is in the hands of a 40 year old….and don't we know it. When it comes to spending our hard earnt cash, it's a minefield out there - full of dodgy geezer's who'll rip you off if they see you coming- however, read this and you'll know exactly what your rights are.  Statutory Rights.... Basically, whenever we buy new stuff - we enter into a kind of contract. With this contract, we have certain Statutory Rights which we should always expect, regardless of whether it's from shops, street markets, mail order catalogues, door-to-door sellers or in sales. Ok, here we go: -
The item should be of satisfactory quality - in other words it's got to meet an acceptable standard, bearing in mind the way it was described (on the box for example), what it cost and any other relevant circumstances. Always REMEMBER that Goods must be in perfect condition except when…. 1) the shop or whatever has told you otherwise - for example, if the goods are said to be shop-soiled or 2) when you buy something second hand - because then YOU are responsible for the quality of the item. -
It should be fit for its purpose - the item you buy must do what you expect it to  do -for example, if you buy a Playstation game you should expect it to work on a Playstation and not a PC. -
It should be exactly as described as on the package, display or by the seller. If you are told that your new T-shirt is 100% cotton, then it should not turn out to be cotton and polyester. You have this right even when you buy second hand too - including buying stuff privately (in classified ads for example) Thankfully, Loads of shops have what they call goodwill policies which go beyond our statutory rights. For example, some record shops will let you have an exchange or refund on a CD purely because you don't like it…..(well I suppose you could say it was damaging to your ears!) Don't Take Any Bull….. On the flipside, and most importantly , don't be put off by shop assistants trying to talk their way out of their responsibilities. Always remember that…. - It's law that the seller has to deal with complaints about defective goods or other failures to comply with your statutory rights
- so that means do not accept an excuse like "ohhhh, but it's the makers fault" - this is not acceptable. You have entered into a contract with the place you bought the item from, NOT some factory owner on the other side of the world. It's their job to contact the manufacturer if the goods are faulty - not yours. - You have the same rights when you buy sale goods as at any other time
- the seller cannot get away with notices saying there are no refunds on sale goods (Think twice before you buy from somewhere that displays a notice like this guys - it is against the law)  - If your item is faulty, you don't have to accept it being sent "back to the workshop" -
If the fault appears shortly after buying the product - you are entitled to your money back. - You don't have to accept a credit note in exchange for faulty goods
- you are always entitled to your money back if there is something genuinely wrong with your purchase. - You don't have to accept a replacement - If you want one in return for a faulty item then that's fine, but you are entitled to your money back if you decide you don't want the product after all…..it's up to you.
- It's useful to remember that you have the same rights even if you lose your receipt
- (keep them safe though because they are useful for evidence of where and when you bought the goods). - You may be able to claim compensation if you suffer loss because of faulty goods
- for example, if you buy a dodgy iron and it ruins your clothes. Are You Being Served?.... Ok, so when we pay for a service we're not actually getting an item in return - but that doesn't mean we're not protected by law if that service is rubbish in some way. Many "hoorays" then, for the very official sounding Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982..... - The service should be done with reasonable care and skill
- Within a reasonable time
- The service should be provided for a reasonable charge
 So, if we wanted to pay for our socks to be ironed - we should expect them to come back looking in good condition, neatly ironed with no creases. The whole process should have taken no longer than say, a week - and a reasonable cost? I'd say under a fiver for certain.
The Supply of Goods and Services Act would protect our beloved socks from coming back looking ragged and torn, 4 years later, after being charged £79.99 for the "service"….(good job it's there then). But generally speaking, any probs are less likely to occur if certain things are agreed before the work is started - why don't you ask questions like…. - How much will it cost?
- How long will it take?
- What happens if it can't be mended?
And if you have to complain about a service - handle it just as you would if it were for faulty goods. Now's a good time to read our "What If's section" and our "Guide to complaining" ….. Links: Citizens Advice Bureau – see local phone book for one closest to you
www.adviceguide.org.uk Law Centres Federation
www.lawcentres.org.uk
Find the location of the nearest Law Centre to you The laws stated in this article apply only to England and Wales
- Eddy Vista
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