The Sale of Goods and Services Act 1982; ever heard of it? It’s an important piece of modern legislation, and I think it’s safe to say it’s one that affects us all! Have you ever bought a product and it hasn’t worked the way it should? Or even perhaps it hasn’t lasted for as long as it should? I know I’ve certainly been on the end of that frustrating stick – and according to a BBC report, faulty goods are costing consumers on average £78 a year; a staggering £5,000 a lifetime! (source)
So why is this the case? Well according to the report, people are too worried about returning a faulty product through nerves, embarrassment, or fear of intimidation! The Poll from the Department for Business revealed that nearly half of those questioned had at least one faulty product at home. Low value items reportedly tend to be kept, and the highest complained about item were second-hand cars.
Personally, I have no qualms about returning a faulty product – but remarkably the results of the 3000 people spread indicated that men are losing more money than women in failing to return faulty goods! Costs for men was found to be at £89 per year on average, compared to £71 a year for women. Men apparently felt more intimidated, whilst women felt more embarrassed.
But exactly what are our rights? What are we entitled to when it comes to faulty goods we buy? Here’s a list from the BBC article from the Current UK Consumer Rules:
When a shopper buys an item it should be as described in the shop or website and of satisfactory quality
- If it is faulty, or wrongly described, the consumer has the right to a refund, replacement or repair
- However, the complaint should be made “within a reasonable time”. This generally means getting a refund if it is returned within a month
- For the first six months, the retailer must prove the product was satisfactory when bought if they turn down a replacement or repair
- For the next six months, the consumer must prove there was something wrong on purchase to get a replacement or repair
So what are the rights when a person is injured in some way from a faulty product? Well you have the right to claim for compensation if you are injured due to a faulty product, and we as specialist independent personal injury lawyers will give you the best advice on claiming, and the highest standard representation!
Just give us a call and find out where you stand today!
