Customer purchased a fan but it malfunctioned within two weeks; seeking refund: Response from Dean Dunham
**Consumer Rights Act Allows Immediate Refund for Faulty Fan Within 30 Days**
If you have recently purchased a faulty fan and are within the first 30 days of ownership, you have a legal right to return the item and claim a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Under this act, goods must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality, and as described. If a good does not meet these requirements, the consumer has the right to a remedy, which can include a refund, replacement, or repair.
In the case of R.L., who has used the fan for only two weeks (14 days), this period falls well within the 30-day short-term right to reject for a full refund.
To exercise this right, follow these steps:
1. **Contact the retailer promptly.** Inform them that the fan is faulty and that you wish to return it under your statutory rights. 2. **Put your complaint in writing.** Write a polite and clear letter to the customer services department, stating the fault and quoting the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Specify that you want a refund because the fault appeared within 30 days of purchase. 3. **Keep evidence.** Retain your receipt, correspondence, and the faulty fan until the matter is resolved. 4. **Return the fan.** Follow the retailer’s instructions for returning the faulty item.
If the retailer refuses or delays, you can escalate the complaint, citing your right to a refund under the Consumer Rights Act within the 30-day period for faulty goods.
It is important to note that there are exemptions to the rules for sources of artificial light such as airports, railway premises, and prisons. Additionally, local authorities have an obligation to investigate complaints of light pollution, which can be prejudicial to health, under Section 79(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
For instances where the issue is not related to the Consumer Rights Act or goods' durability issues, such as F.D.'s neighbor's security lights going off every time a fox walks past at night, local authorities will consider how the average person would be affected, and will not take account of unusual sensibilities.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/consumer-rights/your-right-to-a-repair-or-a-replacement [2] https://www.gov.uk/consumer-rights/your-right-to-reject-faulty-goods [3] https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act-2015 [4] https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/shopping-on-line-or-in-store/shopping-on-line/buying-online/your-rights-when-something-goes-wrong-with-your-order/
Investing in personal-finance can yield significant returns, especially when consumers are well-informed of their rights. For instance, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 guarantees a full refund for faulty goods like a fan within 30 days of purchase. Before making large finance investments, one should also consider the quality and suitability of the investment, as in the instance of a faulty fan, which should be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. A well-planned finance strategy, balanced with a lifestyle that prioritizes shopping for quality goods, can lead to a more secure and comfortable personal-finance situation.
