I have been refused a refund after returning a faulty laptop - what can I do?


This question is especially common after the January sales period.

This question is based on the scenario when a faulty laptop was bought in the sales. Upon bringing the laptop home, the owner discovered it wouldn`t switch on, even after charging the battery.

When it was returned to the shop the next day, the buyer was refused a refund. Instead the retailer offered to repair the laptop - but does the buyer have to accept this offer?

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) if goods are faulty, you are entitled to a refund if you reject them within a reasonable period of time.

A reasonable period of time is not defined in the law. Normally it is a short period of time from purchase to examine the goods.

If you find a fault you must tell the trader right away that you want to reject the goods. This means that you have not `legally` accepted the goods and you are entitled to a refund. This is because you told the trader about the fault the next day after you bought it.

If you have not already accepted the repair you could insist on a refund. It does not matter that you opened the box. After all, it is reasonable to examine the goods to find out if they are faulty.