Consumer Rights

This week we take a look at Consumer Rights.

I bought a coat before Christmas which cost me €150. I really don’t like it now and I returned it to the shop last week and asked for a refund. I kept my receipt which proves that I paid €150 for it. The coat is now on sale for €60 and the store manager would only refund me the reduced amount of €60. Please confirm the store cannot do this as I have my original receipt proving that’s I paid €150 for it. Also, I received a gift which is faulty but I don’t have the receipt. Can I return it to the shop?

Your consumer rights in sales are the same as at any other time of the year. You are entitled to expect goods to be of merchantable quality, fit for purpose and as described. If they are not, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. If a shop is prepared to offer a refund, rather than a repair or replacement, then your entitlement is to a refund of the full price and not the reduced sale price.
However, if you simply change your mind about a purchase a shop is not obliged to take the item back or refund you your money. Some stores may have a policy which offers refunds in respect of “change of mind” items but if so you are only entitled to the reduced sale price and not the original price paid. Such a policy is entirely a gesture of goodwill and not a legal requirement on the shop.
With regard to the faulty gift, you will need proof of purchase in order to return it to the shop. The person who bought the item is the one who holds the consumer rights, but if they pass the receipt on to you, then the consumer rights also pass to you, entitling you to a repair, replacement or refund.

Locations

ATHLONE

Oak House,
39-41 Mardyke Street,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
N37 TA44

Tel: (090) 647 8433
Email: info@bccsolicitors.ie

GALWAY

9 Gray Office Park,
Galway Retail Park,
Headford Road,
Galway City
H91 WC1P

Tel: (091) 511 421
Email: info@bccsolicitors.ie

DUBLIN

24–26
Upper Ormond Quay,
Dublin 7

Tel: (090) 647 8433
Email: info@bccsolicitors.ie

MOATE

Main Street,
Moate,
Co. Westmeath
N37 EW70

Tel: (090) 648 2090
Email: info@bccsolicitors.ie

LANESBOROUGH

Main Street,
Lanesborough,
Co. Longford
N39 C8Y7

Tel: (043) 332 1200
Email: info@bccsolicitors.ie

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