New consumer protection measures - including longer refund rights - have come into force under the Consumer Rights Act.
For the first time anyone who buys faulty goods will be entitled to a full refund for up to 30 days after the purchase.
Previously consumers were only entitled to refunds for a "reasonable time".
There will also be new protection for people who buy digital content, such as ebooks or online films and music.
They will be entitled to a full refund, or a replacement, if the goods are faulty.
The Act also covers second-hand goods, when bought through a retailer.
People buying services - like a garage repair or a haircut - will also have stronger rights.
Under the new Act, providers who do not carry out the work with reasonable care, as agreed with the consumer, will be obliged to put things right.
Or they may have to give some money back.
In many cases retailers offer to refund goods even when they are not faulty - for example if customers change their minds about a product - but there is no statutory right to a refund.
'Fit for purpose'
"The new laws coming in today should make it easier for people to understand and use their rights, regardless of what goods or services they buy," said Gillian Guy the chief executive of Citizens Advice.
When disputes occur, consumers will now be able to take their complaints to certified Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers, a cheaper route than going through the courts.
The Consumer Rights Act says that goods
- must be of satisfactory quality, based on what a reasonable person would expect, taking into account the price
- must be fit for purpose. If the consumer has a particular purpose in mind, he or she should make that clear
- must meet the expectations of the consumer
The Act has been welcomed by many consumer rights groups and further information can be found here.
"Now, if you buy a product - whether physical or digital - and discover a fault within 30 days you'll be entitled to a full refund," said Hannah Maundrell, the editor of money.co.uk. "The party really is over for retailers that try to argue the point."
The Act also enacts a legal change that will enable British courts to hear US-style class action lawsuits, where one or several people can sue on behalf of a much larger group.
It will make it far easier for groups of consumers or small businesses to seek compensation from firms that have fixed prices and formed cartels.
There are many aspects of Consumer Law that apply to all who sell new/secondhand equipment and you should take time to check it all out Here is a good starting point
Annual Testing
We are currently travelling the Country testing inflatables to EN 14960. If you have any testing requirements between now and the end of 2015 and would like us to quote then please email us
Our planned routes are
6th October - Swindon (Wiltshire)
26th-28th October - London
5th November - London
19th November - Wantage (Oxfordshire)
30th November - Carlisle (Cumbria)
1st /2nd December - Argyle (Scotland)
3rd December - Perth (Scotland)
Our 2016 diary is now open and we are booking tests now.
TIPE Facebook Group (reminder)
We have set up a new Facebook group purely for TIPE subscribers. It has been set up in order that you can communicate with each other and we can get messages to you even more quickly. You will need to apply to join the group and we will check your subscription status before confirming your membership of the group.
You can find the group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/TIPEsubs/.
Showmans Show (reminder)
I will be at the Showmans Show at the Newbury Showground (Berkshire) on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October 2015. I will be on the MUTA stand on Thursday 22nd October from 12.30 hrs - 15.30 hrs. If anyone wishes to meet up then let me know what day you are attending and we can arrange.
Peter Grand
TIPE Office
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