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Buying and Selling

In a world fuelled by consumption it is hard to go a day without buying something, but do we know what to do if our goods are defective or the service is poor?

There are generally five things that you, the consumer, are promised when buying form a seller.

Of “Satisfactory Quality”

This means that the goods you buy should be of a quality that is reasonable and what you would expect in the circumstances. This does not stop the seller from selling you goods with faults, they can do so but they must point out the defect. If you do have a defect pointed out, and you buy the goods but later decide to take them back because of the defect, you don't have the right to return the goods.

“Of satisfactory quality” also covers goods that fall apart after only a short period of time.

Fit for the Purpose

The goods you purchase must actually do the job they are expected to do, for example, food should be edible and Compact Discs should play music.

They too should last a reasonable amount of time after the purchase.

As Described

Sellers have a duty to describe their goods accurately. This is especially important when selling at a distance, such as over the internet.

The Property of the Seller

It is a criminal offence to knowingly sell goods that are not yours without the owners permission. Stolen property belongs to it's original owner, or to the insurance company that dealt with the claim. If you unknowingly buy stolen property , you are not guilty of receiving stolen goods, but you will more than likely have to give the property back to the owner.

Safe to Use

If your possessions are damaged or you are injured as a result of using goods that are not safe, you may be able to get compensation. Firstly you may be able to claim against the manufacturer for putting unsafe products on the market. Secondly you may be able to claim against the seller for selling you goods that were not “fit for purpose”.

In this situation, you are best to seek legal advice on the issue.

This article was written by Tracey Aldous