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Buying goods and services

Buying goods and services covers a wide scope of purchases, from washing machines to a £20,000 car, services from your utility supplier to a gym membership.

There are many things to take into account when purchasing goods. If your purchase is over £100 (with a value of less than £30,000), you may wish to consider paying by credit card as you will have extra protection should anything go wrong.

There are many myths relating to the purchase of goods or services, for example cooling off periods when signing a contract. In reality, there are very few instances that you have the right to change your mind when entering into a contract so always check the small print.

You have no right to take unwanted goods back to a shop, even within a short period of time.  You only have rights if the shop in question has a returns policy, and even then the policy can be as reasonable, or as unreasonable, as the shop wishes. 

When you purchase goods, generally they have to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and free from defects.  If they are not, then you can return them within a reasonable period of time (usually within 3-4 weeks from the date of purchase or delivery).  After that time you may be able to ask for a repair, replacement or a partial refund However, in most cases it will be at the retailer's discretion.