I was talking to a business associate recently about legislation affecting the rights of customers. I was amazed to discover that he had never heard of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. In fact, I've asked a few people I know that run businesses, and none of them were aware of it.
If you run a business in the UK then it's important that you are aware of this legislation because it doesn't just consolidate previous consumer protection law, it also gives your customers several new rights.
Previous
legislation that has been combined into the Act includes the Sale of Goods Act
1979, and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. But in addition
to the safeguards covered in the previous legislation, the 2015 Act also includes
consumer rights in relation to the following areas:
1. After one
failed attempt by the retailer to repair or replace a faulty item, customers
are entitled to ask for a refund or price reduction.
2. If the
customer does not want a refund or price reduction, they have the right to
request another repair or replacement, at no cost to themselves.
3. The Act
gives consumers a clear right to repair or replacement of faulty digital
content, such as online films and games, music downloads and e-books.
4. Consumers
have the right to a refund within 30 days if something is faulty, regardless of whether they
shopped online, in a high-street store, or at any other retailer.
Over the next few weeks we will be taking a look at other important legislation that all UK business owners need to be aware of. If you have any questions, please let us know.
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