Dealing with Defective Merchandise

2008-05-27 15:55:41

( Legal )



Defective Merchandise - Slim but Still Possible

A good majority of manufacturers and dealers sell products of the best quality and want you to be fully satisfied with them. These companies follow the highest standards of quality and care, and they are successful because of their impeccable reputation.

But not all product handling systems are 100% perfect, and there's always a chance that you could end up with one or more defective products. There are many possible cases of defective merchandise, including bad foods and damaged or non-working parts.

Consumer Rights in Case of Defective Merchandise

You should know that as a consumer, you have the right to expect the best quality in products and services. Reputable manufacturers and dealers are aware of your rights, and almost all have reasonable return or exchange policies for defective merchandise. Moreover, they would rather risk losing a little money for minor cases of bad products, than to lose their hard-earned credibility because of unhappy customers.

Under most store policies, you will be able to go back to the store where you had bought the defective merchandise. You can ask for a refund or get the defective item replaced with a good one. In fact, you can even return a non-defective product, as long as you are not satisfied with it or if you have bought the wrong item.

If it was a mail order product, you can still request for a refund in the mail. Simply return the product intact in its original package by courier, within the grace period stipulated by the company policy.

Tips and Precautions for the Consumer

Not all companies welcome returns of defective merchandise, especially for fresh produce or meat products. These products are typically prone to spoilage between the time they are bought to the time that the consumer uses them. It is difficult to prove who was at fault when it comes to bad foods.

Some product labels carry statements asserting that the manufacturer is not liable for any defect or malfunction, especially if the product was bought in ad hoc set-ups such as trade fairs or flea markets.

If you encounter defective merchandise, always check the return and refund policies carefully. Follow the instructions, especially the deadlines. Since you have to pay for shipping costs, determine whether returning the product is actually worth your time and effort.

Definitely request return or replacement in the case of high-end products like electronic gadgets. If the seller is uncooperative, you might consider getting a defective product lawyer to handle your case.


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