Exchanges and refunds
Advice
The following is some shopping advice:
- set a budget and don't abuse credit by making emotional shopping choices;
- check prices in several stores;
- carefully examine merchandise before making a purchase;
- before paying, get information on the store's exchange/refund policy. Have it indicated on the bill, e.g. "can be exchanged within 10 days of purchase";
- if it is a gift, have it indicated on the bill;
- keep bills, instructions, warranties and packaging.
This way, we save store staff from time-consuming searches and speed up the exchange/refund process.
Returning an item that is not defective
The law does not oblige the merchant to take an item back, exchange it for something else or issue a credit note.
Most merchants agree to one of these solutions when an item is in good condition and returned within a reasonable time frame.
This time frame varies depending on the store or item and almost all stores agree to extend this deadline during the Christmas holiday period.
Merchants are free to define the conditions governing their in-house policies, provided that they comply with their exchange/refund policy.
Layaway payment
The purchase of a good constitutes a contract, confirmed through a down payment. Although some merchants are quite flexible in this regard, they have the right to refuse to cancel a layaway and demand that the consumer respect this contract.
Returning a defective item
The Consumer Protection Act
states that you must be able to make normal use of the goods procured for a reasonable period of time.
- If an item is defective, the merchant must repair it or have it repaired without additional cost to the consumer.
- If the item cannot be repaired, the merchant must exchange it and, if this is impossible, he must refund the consumer's money.
Price-setting
We may pay more or less for an item depending on which store we buy it in. These price differences may seem exaggerated but neither the Consumer Protection Act nor any other legislation controls prices, which are determined by free competition only. It is only by shopping around and comparing prices that we can save money.