You often see signs in shops at the counter which say ‘this does not affect your statutory rights’. But what does this mean? What we are talking about here are the legal obligations of retailers and suppliers to protect consumers from fraud, poor quality, misrepresentation or economic loss. The sale of goods is subject to the inclusion of these statutory rights (or terms), whether or not a written contract exists and whether or not they are specifically mentioned at any stage. Any attempt to mislead you or deny you of them is illegal!
The seller has the right to sell
So what precisely are your statutory rights when you make a purchase? Firstly, you should expect the seller to have the right to sell the item and to be able to transfer full ownership to you. Seems an obvious point really. A second hand car dealer who sells you a stolen car does not have the right to sell that car and you would not take ownership of it, even though you have handed over the money. If the item is not owned by the seller, or the seller has not been given permission to sell the item, the contract is immediately invalidated – and you will own nothing.
It is what you expected?
Secondly, if you have bought something on the basis of the seller’s description or a sample, you should expect the item to conform exactly to that description or sample. If it does not, you have the right to reject the goods, demand a full refund and possibly claim damages. This is still the case even where you have selected or examined the items for yourself before buying them.
Satisfactory quality
And finally, the most commonly cited and hotly contested of all, that of satisfactory quality. There is so much to say about this, it deserves its own section:
- How do you measure quality?
- It’s not fit for purpose
- How long should it last?
- Is the guarantee worth the paper it’s written on?
- I bought it from a bloke down the pub
- Rights when knowingly buying damaged goods
Common Complaints
- They say I’ve taken ownership so it’s my responsibility
- Do shops have to give me my money back?
- The shop doesn’t want to know, they say it is the manufacturer’s responsibility.
- It’s second hand – do I have any rights?
Join our 
Leather bag from Ms £67 got wet and left a mark on my coat do I have any rights.
I bought a nokia 3310 from Amazon The phone was a copy(fake) so i send it back to the seller.Using post office tracking the phone was received by the seller on 05/08/2017.Still waiting for refund of over 40 gbp.I have sent emails to Amazon and the seller and have had no reply from ether.I am a 72 your old oap and cant afford to loose over 40 gbp
I gave dfs a drawing of my room with every wall n door measured. I wanted 2 settees and I told him which walls as I had a radiator on one. Only 1 power socket in room. I didn’t know the settees required electricity to work feet support n head support. When I extend the leg supports on both settees opposite each other (as they are too big for other wall) they crash. Can only see tv on one. The salesman took control with his laptop. He wz very nice. Assuring me there’s plenty of room. Where do my rights stand. Can I returnn one of them. Opposite each other they crash. Putting one on another wall can’t open doors and no socket.
I took a necklace in to jeweller to have the clasp changed . While the jeweler was doing it the other end fell off. I was told it would now have to be sent away to be soldered. I got it back 2weeks later.
I wore the necklace for about 5 hours . The chain broke at the ring end in the same place and I have now lost the heart pendant. Where do I stand with this?
I sent my camera in for repair at London Camera Exchange on the 15th July. I paid £15 for an evaluation so that i could send it to Currys where the camera was purchased. It is outside of the 1 year warranty by 5 months but Currys agreed to pay for the repair. So on the 22nd July i gave LCE the go ahead to repair it. It is now the 11th September and apparently Nikon who they have sent it to are still awaiting parts for my camera. I was told when i gave the go ahead in July that it would take 3 weeks. I am a professional photographer and have had to cancel numerous jobs. Also on the receipt that was given to me at the time of the evaluation has the wrong model number on it. i have made them aware of this but am worried now that they have lost my camera . Every phone call i make to LCE seems to fall on deaf ears. LCE said that i could buy a camera from them for £200, use it and then when my camera returns have a full refund for the camera i had to buy off them. As i have lost earnings, i cannot afford to buy another camera even if it is just until my camera comes back. What can i do???
Bought back kitchen from wren paid in full kitchen has come no goods are right design wrong stuff that is missing wont come intil january 2028 what rights do i have
Hi I purchased a ring last week £52 wore it for a few hours & it has badly tarnished what are my rights please in taking it back many thanks
I bought a leather Sofa from scs it was a power recliner with USB ports fitted. The Sofa was faulty and has had to be replaced so when the replacement came I was not happy as the new sofa has no USB ports. I have spoken to the shop and they say the spec has now changed and they will give me a £ 50 refund. I am not happy as want a Sofa with USB ports, scs say they can do nothing more and they will not take the Sofa back. Please advise needed.
Bought Hotpoint washing machine from local dealer 6 weeks ago and it has gone wrong. Manufacturer will come and repair it next week but what are my rights regarding wanting money back or replacement machine?
I bought a second hand chair yesterday when it was delivered everything seemed fine though after sitting on the chair for a time the leather has become very loose on the seating the company states that if you are not happy with the item it can be returned within 2 weeks I contacted them this morning and sent pictures and they have sent me a text saying because I signed a satisfactory form for the driver and did’nt contact them straight away they are not accepting responsability for the item and refusing to accept a return also it states that all furniture is cleaned and polished down the side of the chair was alsorts food pens pencils and cereal