Shopping and taking things back

You may have been lucky and not had anything go wrong with anything you’ve bought, but if something does go wrong did you know you're protected by consumer rights?

You have the right to expect certain standards in the goods you buy. The law says that goods must be:

Of satisfactory quality. This covers, for example, the appearance and finish of goods, their safety and how long they last. Goods must be free from defects, even minor ones, except when they have been brought to your attention by the seller – for example, if goods are said to be 'shop soiled' or are sold as ‘seconds’.
Fit for their purpose, including any particular purpose mentioned by you to the seller. For example – if you tell the seller you want boots for mountain climbing, then that's what you should be sold.
As described - on the package or display sign, or by the seller. If you're told that a jumper is 100% wool it should not turn out to have acrylic in it.

If you want to know more about your shopping rights then go to the 'money' section on Youthinformation.com or get in touch with your local Trading Standards Office or Citizen's Advice Bureau.