Paphos Life

Cyprus shopkeepers are not legally obliged to accept returns or change products and this is subject to individual store policies.

http://www.use-the-final-link/news/53983/ ... pt-returns

Trev..

It is actually the same in the UK but we get used to the majority of stores offering exchange and refunds so think it is a 'right'. The only exception is if it is not fit for purpose and even then there is ambiguity about how long you have to reject an item.

I think that in the UK consumer law is more protective to consumers than it is here! But in all cases it should be buyer beware! Try on a garment to make sure it fits! When buying other goods, if you are uncertain about what you are buying ask the store what its returns policy is, before you buy. Only buy from reputable shops is another good maxim, this applies particularly in Cyprus!

Dee

Kili01 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:00 pm I think that in the UK consumer law is more protective to consumers than it is here!

In what way?

Wilkos in UK accept returns on pretty much anything with no questions asked....

Last Thursday afternoon my hubby bought a new latch for our bathroom door, not realising there were different lengths. When he got it home he found he'd purchased one that was too long by mistake. We found one online through Wilkos' website so we selected and paid for it - to be delivered to our local store on Click & Collect basis.

As we were in the vicinity on Saturday morning, even though we hadn't had the update to collect it yet, we called in on the off-chance. Unfortunately, the item hadn't arrived but the lady at Customer Services told us we could return the one we had previously purchased and gave him an immediate refund against a replacement smaller one which my hubby had just located in the store.

Then she told us, when the notification tells us the online order is ready for collection - to call in, collect it, tell them we no longer need it and get another refund.

That's exactly what we did on Tuesday....

As we didn't have a receipt for the item (we paid via PayPal) but didn't have the paperwork with us - they gave us a gift card with the balance on the card which is valid for 12 months. We're always in and out of Wilkos and we have lots of DIY jobs planned for the coming months so it will be spent pretty quickly.

From the Cyprus Consumers website regarding the 8 Basic Rights:

All goods are delivered at the market must comply with the description given to them and should be suitable for the purpose for which we bought  them.
The quality of the goods including the absence of defects , their safety , fair durability over time and use, appearance and final processing , the availability of spare parts and technical support where this is required by the nature of the product.
All products have two years guaranty from delivery day even with the receipt of  purchase.
If we buy a faulty product then we can return it for free repair within the warranty period. If the shop can not repair it , then we can ask for a change or a refund our money and in the right situation to claim compensation. If we want to keep it an equitable reduction in the purchase price.
Lack of product conformity which becomes apparent within six months from the date of delivery to us is presumed to exist in the delivery of the product , until proven

Much more info here:
http://www.cyprusconsumers.org.cy/en/8-rights-len

Also check out their Legislation links page:
http://www.cyprusconsumers.org.cy/en/legislation-len

PhotoLady
Are you julieswell?

I bought a power tool the other day from Superhome Centre off the Debenhams roundabout which was faulty. Took it back & the person at the counter didn't even ask what was wrong with it, just asked me what I wanted to do! I walked out with a replacement without the slightest bit of fuss!


Shane

Super home are particularly good with returns, having said that, have never had a problem with returns anywhere in Paphos.

In fairness to Lidl, it would probably have been dealt with more quickly if you had your receipt.

Wallace wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:50 pm PhotoLady
Are you julieswell?

Well, I am - and I ain't....

I was juliesewell on the old forum but that isn't my name

I bought bedding in Lidl and when I cam to use it on Wednesday the quilt cover seam hadn't been stitched at the bottom

Isn't that seam always open so you can get the quilt inside?

Happy in Cyprus wrote: ↑Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:44 am

Wallace wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:50 pmPhotoLady Are you julieswell?

Of course it is; was evident to me the first time Julie posted on here Apart from anything else, the moniker PhotoLady gives it away. Another poster with a new name was identifiable - to me anyway - by her use of the work "mebbe". Still trying to work a few others out though

Lloyd, I was about to say how sad of you to be spending time working out who people are. But I suppose it gives you summat to do

I keep my receipts for everything, until my wallet needs emptying because it is too full of receipts. Then I sort out the ones I might still need and bin the rest.

Mebbe not so much a smokescreen as more a simplified moniker!
What japes boys, happy to keep you amused

We always keep our receipts and where applicable, the boxes the goods come in until we're certain they are suitable for purpose.

Alan

Houdinibun wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:15 pm It is actually the same in the UK but we get used to the majority of stores offering exchange and refunds so think it is a 'right'. The only exception is if it is not fit for purpose and even then there is ambiguity about how long you have to reject an item.

There is no ambiguity about the time period if it meets the criteria of not being of a satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or damaged. The guarantee period is defined as 2 years.
The EU directive in question is 1999/44/EC: 'A two-year guarantee applies for the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU. In some countries, this may be more, and some manufacturers also choose to offer a longer warranty period.'

In fact not many people realise that in the UK, companies are still responsible for their products even when the official guarantee period expires up to a period of 6 years (under the sale of goods act 1979) which entitles the consumer to a partial refund or offer of repair. Obviously you have a stronger case if the item was a high cost item such as a £1000 tv opposed to something that cost under £50.

paphos wrote: ↑Sun Jan 15, 2017 1:36 pm

Houdinibun wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:15 pm It is actually the same in the UK but we get used to the majority of stores offering exchange and refunds so think it is a 'right'. The only exception is if it is not fit for purpose and even then there is ambiguity about how long you have to reject an item.

There is no ambiguity about the time period if it meets the criteria of not being of a satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or damaged. The guarantee period is defined as 2 years.
The EU directive in question is 1999/44/EC: 'A two-year guarantee applies for the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU. In some countries, this may be more, and some manufacturers also choose to offer a longer warranty period.'

In fact the EC directive for 'presumption of lack of conformity' requires you to notify the seller within 2 months and certainly before 6 months. After that the consumer has to prove there was a defect in the product ..this is what I mean by ambiguity!?

Oh and Sale of Goods 1979 no longer applies to any purchase since 1st October 2015

Houdinibun wrote: ↑Sun Jan 15, 2017 7:29 pm Oh and Sale of Goods 1979 no longer applies to any purchase since 1st October 2015

Yes you are correct its now called the Consumer Rights Act 2015.