10 Rights You May Not Know You Have
By: Sue Hayward, SueHaywardMedia.com
17 Jun 2010 Tell a Friend
Feeling ripped off or out of pocket? Want to cancel a contract or get your money back? You may have more power than you think!
You have up to six years to a refund on faulty goods
Under consumer law the time limit is up to six years to get a refund, repair or replacement on faulty goods. But this doesn't mean sticking the item at the back of a cupboard for five years and eleven months...
Always return faulty goods, (along with proof of purchase), as soon as a fault occurs. While the time limit does stand at six years; once you've had goods for six months or more, it's down to you to prove any fault was there from the start and not due to wear and tear. In some cases this could mean getting an independent inspection to prove your case.
You can buy an extended warranty, change your mind and get your money back
Buy an extended warranty in store and if you change your mind, providing the warranty lasts a year or more, you've got forty five days to cancel. This comes under the Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005 Fair Trading Act. You should cancel in writing and ask for written confirmation when this has been done and cancel any direct debits you've set up with your bank.
You don't need the receipt to get a refund
Faulty goods? You don't have to show the original till receipt to get your money back. It's 'proof of purchase' that counts so this could be a bank or credit card statement; basically some way of proving when and where you bought the item.
You can cancel if you signed a contract for double glazing or a new sofa at home
You've got seven days to cancel contracts made in your home. And it makes no difference whether you called the company or they turned up unannounced on the doorstep.
There are exceptions to this which includes items under 35 GBP, if you're buying perishable goods like flowers or food, or land or insurance. And if you want to quote the official stuff; these rules come under the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work 2008.
You can ask your credit card company to stump up a refund
Paying by credit card gives you added protection if what you buy turns out to be faulty, the company you buy from goes bust, or you don't get your goods. Providing the price tag was between 100 GBP and 30,000 GBP, if the company you bought from won't help, you can ask your credit card company to stump up.