What is the consumer goods act?

The consumer goods act has been created in order to protect consumers within the UK society. The act stipulates the rights of consumers in regards to products or services that they have purchased. The law gives consumers certain rights in regards to products that have been bought and they are faulty or they are not as described.

The regulation board within the UK is the Office of Fair Trading and they hold the responsibility of following up any queries or complaints in relation to breaching the act.

When a consumer purchases goods within the UK they have certain rights that protect the consumer by law if the product or service is faulty or if it is deemed to have failed to meet certain standards. The protection in place for consumers is dependent upon the different prices or products that have been bought.

The law states that when a product is bought by a consumer that product must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If these descriptions are not met by the product that has been supplied then the consumer is legally in a position for a repair, replacement or refund.

In order to return a product to a shop the purchaser must have some form of proof of purchase, this may be a receipt, a bank statement, the shops packaging or a witness. Different shops have their own guidelines on the proof of purchase that will be accepted.

In some cases the consumer has the right to change their mind, this is usually within seven days of purchase. Consumers can ask for their money back if a product has been bought online, over the phone, by mail order or on the doorstep of their home. Although in certain cases this right is not always relevant, this includes cases where products are personalized or made to order, are perishable, if the product is a newspaper or magazine, a financial product, or a CD, DVD or piece of software that has had its security seal broken.

Consumers by law are in the position to make a complaint on the basis of the act being broken. The Office of Fair Trading will investigate complaints and if shops are found guilty they may be required to refund the consumer, they may also face a significant fine.

The consumer goods act is one of the widest used legislative acts within the UK at present, with many claims happening everyday. It is the responsibility of organisations to be fully aware of the rights of consumers, failure to do so may mean they are not aware of consumer rights.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/index.htm