What Is the Law on Returning Faulty Goods

QUICK TIP: With a limited warranty, the manufacturer or seller may ask you to take certain steps to maintain coverage, such as returning a warranty registration card or performing maintenance tasks. So read the warranty carefully. If you run into problems and the store does not refund, repair or replace your goods, you should report this to your local trade standards department, as the retailer is violating your legal rights. If the company does not provide you with its return and refund policy, you can return your goods within 60 days for a full cash refund. If the merchant has already repaired or replaced the defective goods and wishes to return them to you, you should not incur any costs. If you have problems returning a defective item, contact the NH Consumer Protection Bureau: regardless of the model used by the retailer, they should bring it to your attention. The retailer must clearly post the terms of the policy when entering or leaving the store. Retailers must notify you of a return window of less than 60 days and also mention the categories of merchandise that are exempt from the policy. Some stores may also charge a restocking or handling fee of 5% of the value of returned goods. On occasion, the retailer may also offer a sliding scale for the cost of returns. Other retailers may also encourage you to get an exchange or credit for the item. These merchants may cover the cost of shipping the return if you choose to exchange or credit.

Usually, this will involve repairing or replacing a defective item. Retailers will sometimes contact the manufacturer on your behalf, but are not obligated to do so. The law does not require retailers to have a refund and return policy. Similarly, there is no law stopping retailers from writing return and refund policies that they like. Most retailers will only cover your refund if you have your original proof of purchase and return the goods with the original packaging. Return and refund policies in Rhode Island must be prominently displayed as a sign or poster at checkout or store entrance. This applies in particular if all sales are considered final and the goods cannot be returned. There are remedies for New Hampshire consumers who must return defective goods in some way. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) has a somewhat complicated set of rules governing the “acceptance”, “refusal” and “withdrawal of acceptance” of goods. (For more information about UCC, see Guarantees) These rights often include a right to reimbursement of all payments made, resulting in a remedy that resembles a “refund” to the consumer. It should be noted, however, that minor changes in practice can completely change an outcome under the CDU.

Some of the most common situations are presented below. Manufacturers that offer warranties encourage buyers to contact them to arrange a repair or replacement, rather than returning items to stores. Retailers should also list special conditions, such as returning the item with a receipt and the original packaging. There are some exceptions to the policy regarding perishable items and items sold without original packaging, or exchanges that cannot be made for health and safety reasons. A retailer`s return and refund policy informs customers of the conditions for returning goods. In most cases, the merchant lists his terms and conditions on each sales contract, i.e. receipt or invoice. You may be entitled to a replacement, free repair or refund due to a safety recall, even if the manufacturer`s warranty expired a few years ago. For example, I know a homeowner who got a free repair for her Maytag refrigerator, which was not refrigerated after several years. A call to the manufacturer resulted in a recall due to a faulty relay, the cause of the problem, meaning she owed a free repair.

It is always best to agree on the approach used by the retailer to determine whether or not the goods are defective. However, retailers are willing to play along, regardless of your condition. Retailers are feeling the effects of a lagging economy, and the last thing they need is to upset their customers. Therefore, most retailers allow a successful return of your goods without any problems. Consumers expect U.S. retailers to offer a full credit refund or cash or exchange of the defective product. Some consumers may require a combination of both policies when returning multiple items. The Better Business Bureau of New Hampshire can also help negotiate the return or replacement of defective goods: Under the Consumer Rights Act, you have the right to return something within 30 days and get all your money back if it is defective, not as described, or unfit for use.