I bought a watch from a shop for Lm15, and the next day I saw the same watch in another shop for Lm9. Do I have the right to a refund of the difference in price?
No, you do not have a right to a refund of the difference in price. While bearing in mind that we operate in a liberalised market place, it is up to consumers to shop around for the best deal before buying a product.
If a bought item is replaced with a new one by the supplier in accordance with the ‘Guarantee Conditions', is the guarantee renewed or does it still apply from the date the first item was bought?
When, and if, a bought item is replaced with a new one by the supplier, in accordance with Guarantee Conditions, the termination date of the respective guarantee remains the same original termination date, that is, if a bought item is replaced with a new one, it does not mean that the guarantee has to be renewed.
However, it is to be noted that, if the bought item is taken back to the supplier/seller for a guarantee related matter, the number of days, weeks or months when the buyer is not in possession of the bought item, must be added to the validity period of the guarantee.
I received an e-mail informing me that I won €100,000. They want my bank account details to deposit the money. How can I be certain that this is genuine?
Our advice is to ignore such messages. NEVER give your bank account details to anybody. These e-mails are ‘scams'. In any case it is advisable to consult your Bank Manager.
I recently was shopping from a warehouse sale, with some genuinely reduced prices. On my way in I noticed a sign on the wall saying that items bought at the warehouse sale are not returnable or exchangeable. I may agree that anybody buying from there was forewarned. However, I would like to ask whether it is legal for a vendor to make such statements and whether that notice does actually, in the eye of the law, deprive consumers of any rights.
In accordance with the Consumer Affairs Act, when a consumer buys items at a discount, he/she does not lose his/her rights. The law does not say (and should not say) that, just because the seller reduces the price, the consumer has no rights in the event that the item acquired proves to be defective or of no use. The law does not allow these exclusions. However, the reduction in price would be a significant matter which a court would keep in mind in establishing whether it should give a remedy, and if in the affirmative, what kind of remedy.
Article 73 of the Consumer Affairs Act requires the court to examine all the features of the agreement, and price in a sale. In any given case, the full implications of this article should be closely examined.
Such statements as “Goods sold are not returnable. Thanks” only serve to create more confusion in the minds of consumers. The law overrides such statements.
Recently I participated in a competition that was advertised in an English magazine. The prize was a car. It was a difficult puzzle and the clues were about the car. I managed to complete it and I sent it to the published address. Subsequently I received a letter in the post from the company involved informing me that the competition was only open to UK residents. I re-checked the advert and, this time, I read the small print which indeed confirmed this. I feel that I have been misled. Is the use of such small print legal?
As you explained, the terms and conditions for the competition were printed in the advert. As long as it is possible to read the small print, it is legal. In fact, as you explained, they did specify that the competition was only open to UK residents.
This confirms the importance of reading SMALL PRINT. It is always advisable to read the small print carefully.
Are shop owners legally obliged to indicate prices on all goods for sale?
In line with the consumers' right to be informed, and in conformity with the Price Indications Regulations, all items for sale on display must accordingly show clearly the selling price, which should be the price charged. Consumers are entitled to know prices without having to ask.
Lately I have been buying a lot of clothing items online. While consumers have the benefits of shopping around for the best deals, what protection do I have if the product I order is delivered but it is not what I expect? What are my rights when shopping online?
When shopping online, or in any other method such as television or from a catalogue, you have the protection of the Distance Selling Regulations. Under these regulations you have a fifteen-day cooling-off period, which means you can cancel or withdraw from the contract within this time frame for any reason. You are entitled to return the item and to receive a full refund.
You must act promptly and make sure you notify the company of your decision to withdraw within the fifteen-day period of delivery. It is advisable to keep all forms of packaging and labelling if you are not sure you want to keep the item. A Cancellation Form should be included with any purchase which is made at a distance.