EU Proposal to reduce our Consumer Rights under Sale of Goods Act

[foolishgirl]

There is a EU proposal in the pipeline that would affect the consumer rights we all currently enjoy under SOGA when we make a purchase - the right to return a faulty item to a retailer & obtain a refund. The EU proposes that in future we would not be entitled to a refund but would only be able to insist on a repair or replacement.

The item was aired on You & Yours (BBC Radio 4) last week - listen here:
BBC - Radio 4 You and Yours - Thursday

You can find more info. here:
Consumer Remedies for Faulty Goods
along with the consultation paper - http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp188.pdf

The govt. is wanting responses on this - the form for this can be found on the above link.

If you don't respond you only have yourself to blame if we all lose this right!!

[gyzmo]

I came across a small article on this a few weeks back.

Basically, the EU wants what is part 5A of SoGA (additional rights for consumers). This part is the bit that allows for repair, replacement, refund in that order dependant on porportionateness (is that a word?) and convenience.

Thankfully, M'Luds are dead set against it (thank god we still have them). Whether that will be enough in the face of a faceless beaurocracy (I really must learn to spell) and this "government" we have remains to be seen.

One thing though is that it goes against, and in my view is comletely incompatible, with the workings of English and Scottish contract law. And yes, it will severely detriment consumers.

I would second the call to add your say in the consultation.