Here are examples of small claims court judgments, where consumers asserted their legal warranty rights. This tool can be useful to you in your negotiations with a merchant. For example, it could help you determine a reasonable durability period for your item or estimate the amount of compensation for damages to which you may be entitled.
Cautionary note
These judgment summaries are presented for reference purposes only. An application that was settled in favour of a consumer in one situation may not necessarily result in the same ruling for another consumer.
Several factors can influence a judge's decision regarding a reasonable durability period for an item. These include the price paid, contract clause provisions, the conditions under which the item is used, etc. Remember that each case is different, and every decision is rendered on the basis of the evidence brought before the court.
Exemples of judgments
Refrigerator with defective compressor approximately 3 years after purchase
Claim allowed in partSummary
Price paid: $2,379.92
Unspecified
Amount awarded
$1,267.13
Estimated cost of repairs
Full judgment (in French only)
Chouinard c. LG Électronics Canada inc.
January 2019
Used refrigerator stopped working 1 year after purchase
Claim allowed in partSummary
Price: $375
Unspecified
Amount awarded
$847.09
- $747.09 for cost of repairs;
- $100 for inconvenience suffered.
Full judgment (in French only)
January 2019
Refrigerator with an ice making system and a cold water dispenser whose valve burst a little less than three years after purchase
Claim allowedSummary
Purchase price: unspecified
Claim for $19,900
For water damage
Amount awarded
$19,900
Full judgment (in French only)
La Capitale assurances générales inc. c. Meubles Gélinas (1985) inc.
November 2018
Freezer that stopped working shortly after purchase
Claim allowedSummary
Purchase price: $6,200
Claim for cancellation of the sale and reimbursement of expert fees and postage by registered mail
Amount awarded
$6,234.55
- $6,000 for reimbursement of purchase price;
- $223.05 for expert fees;
- $11.50 for mailing costs.
Full judgment (in French only)
3324214 Canada inc. c. Équipements Plus inc.
August 2018
Refrigerator stopped working after three years
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $2,068.40
Claim for $8,084.22
Amount awarded
$2,147.88
Value of the refrigerator after 30% depreciation
Full judgment (in French only)
Lefebvre c. Samsung Electronics Canada inc.
June 2018
Refrigerator stopped working less than 5 years after purchase
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $2,325.20
Claim for $4,274.16
- $1,950.48 for residual value of refrigerator;
- $326.53 for reimbursement of extended warranty;
- $575 for loss of food items;
- $500 for loss of use of appliance, loss of time and inconvenience;
- $900 for lost wages.
Amount awarded
$2,564.13
- $1,162.60 for reduction in sale price;
- $326.53 for reimbursement of extended warranty;
- $575 for loss of food items;
- $500 for loss of time and inconvenience suffered.
Full judgment (in French only)
Giroux c. Magasin Best-Buy ltée
March 2018
Refrigerator stopped working 5 years after purchase
Allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: unspecified
Claim for cancellation of the sale and $4,860 (for damage suffered)
Amount awarded
$2,883.51
- $2,563.51 for loss of refrigerator;
- $320 for inconvenience suffered.
Full judgment (in French only)
February 2018
Refrigerator stopped working after 5 years of use
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: unspecified
Claim for $4,860
Reimbursement of purchase price and various damages
Amount awarded
$2,883.51
- $2,563.51 for loss of refrigerator;
- $320 for inconvenience suffered.
Full judgment (in French only)
February 2018
Refrigerator stopped working 8 months after sale
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $918.63
Claim for $3,718.63
- $918.63 for reimbursement of purchase price;
- $300 for temporary rental of a refrigerator;
- $2,500 for inconvenience suffered.
Amount awarded
$1,418.63
- $918.63 for reimbursement of purchase price;
- $500 for inconvenience suffered.
Full judgment (in French only)
January 2018
Used refrigerator found to be defective shortly after purchase
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $600
Claim for $3,341
- $120 for repair estimate;
- $200 for repair costs;
- $150 for delivery;
- $500 for loss of food;
- $2,000 for trouble and inconvenience;
- $50 for postage fees;
- $321 for legal costs.
Amount awarded
$450
- $313.32 for repair costs;
- $45.56 for loss of food;
- $45.56 for trouble and inconvenience;
- $45.56 for transportation expenses.
Full judgment (in French only)
Labelle c. Ouertani (Atelier seconde chance des électroménagers et Tronidev)
December 2017
Continuing your search
You can also consult other court decisions concerning legal warranties using the search engine available free of charge on the SOQUIJ website (in French only).
Last update : October 12, 2023
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The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.
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