What kind of rights do you have when you purchase a product which is faulty? Here are some tips about your consumer rights
Whether you are buying a new car or simply ordering a hamburger in a restaurant, you enter into many different consumer contracts every day. Every purchase that you make is subject to certain consumer rights, no matter how big or small. These rights ensure that you will not be taken advantage of by a retailer, and that you have certain rights if the product or service you purchase does not deliver in the way that it was promised to.
What are Consumer Rights?
Consumer rights exist to protect the consumer and to maintain a certain standard of service ethics. They ensure that consumers are treated fairly when they are making a transaction with a provider who is selling them a product or a service. Consumer rights also ensure that the products purchased are fit for use and if they are defective in any way they can be returned to the supplier. When it comes to services, the service should be checked by a quality management function such as a satisfaction survey, call assessments, etc. When you buy something, no matter what it is, it should always be satisfactory quality as described, fit for the purpose it was intended for, and last a reasonable length of time. If it does not, you should have the right to return it for a refund.
Where can you Get Information about Consumer Rights?
There are many ways of obtaining information about your consumer rights. You could use the internet to do research, as here are many websites online that outline what your rights are. Many legal websites will have free legal guides that you can use as a reference when you want to know more about what your rights are. You can also talk to a lawyer who specializes in consumer law, as they will have an expert level on knowledge on the subject.
What If Consumer Rights Are Violated?
If you feel that your consumer rights have been violated by a provider of a product or a service you should bring the problem to the attention of the relevant authority who governs that particular type of supplier. There are many groups that are willing to act on behalf of the consumer, such as National consumer affairs departments and industry specific councils.
If the product is a medium to small item that you have purchased in a store, you can simply take it back right away. Most times you will still get a full refund, especially if you return the goods within four weeks of purchase.
Before taking the legal advice route and challenging your claim in the courts, make sure that it is worth it as you might end up spending more on legal fees than you are trying to claim back. When you are challenging a violation of your consumer rights, make sure to take notes down and record all important times, dates, names and phone numbers. These details might be important when submitting your claim.
Don’t stand for violations of your consumer rights, find out what you are entitled to and make sure that you receive it!
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