The sale of goods act dates back over 100 and is designed to protect consumers. Whilst is not necessary to know the exact fine details of the act, it is good to know the basics which I have highlighted below.

If you remember anything about it REMEMBER that it is called The Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended). The as amended bit is simply referring to the fact the sale of goods act was extended in 1979 to protect the consumer further. If you ever do have a problem with something you have bought get the name right when you are talking about the act and the person you are complaining too will probably take you more seriously.

The basics of the Sale of Goods Act

The goods are as they have been described; this means if the goods have been described as being able to do something then it has to do it (If a cleaning product says it can get stains out at 30deg and it can’t you are due a refund). This refers to a written and verbal description made by the trader.

The second thing is the goods must be of satisfactory quality; the goods have to be free from defects unless you have been told before you purchased the goods.

Lastly the goods must be fit for its purpose; meaning that they do the job they have be described as being able to do.
If you do buy something and it isn’t fit for purpose you can ask for a full refund and if will cost you more to buy the good elsewhere, the trader can owe you compensation to cover the extra cost.

Note if you buy privately then you are only entitled to a refund if the goods are ‘not as described’.

When you don’t have any rights

The only time you have NO statutory rights is if you change your mind about something you have bought. In this case the shop may operate an exchange policy, which they are entitled to do, it is not legally obliged to offer a refund.

Useful links – the legal section of the peazyshop forum