Know your rights: what the laws are around returning a purchase

Amy MacIver speaks with Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

When shopping online or in store there are different rules with returning your purchases.

If you buy something online there is a seven-day cooling off period where the store has to take the item back and offer a refund.

However, when you buy a product is store the retailer has no obligation to take back a non-defective product in terms of the Consumer Protection Act.

“If there is noting wrong with it you have no legal right to return it at all.”

- Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist

If the store chooses to take the products back, they can impose any terms and conditions they see fit.

“They make the rules.”

- Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist

When it comes to defective products that break within 6 months, you can return it without having a box and get either a refund, replacement, or repair according to the CPA.

From month 7, the manufacturer’s warranty kicks in and you will need the original packaging.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.