New Consumer Rights Act 2015

The new Consumer Rights Act 2015 came into effect on 1st October 2015. The new laws replace what has to be admitted is somewhat outdated legislation (this includes the Sale of Goods Act 1979). The upshot for you, as buyers, is greater protection when buy buy goods and services. The new act, among other things, establishes a mandatory timeframe for retailers to refund money if consumers have been sold a faulty product. (what you call ‘faulty’ remains an interesting conundrum - if I go into a hairdresser and say I want to look like Beyonice, and I don’t - whose fault is that?). Dissatisfied customers will be entitled to ask for a replacement, or refund, within 30 days - before it was within ‘a reasonable timeframe’.

Another new part of the legislation applies to online purchases. If you order a product online and are promised a delivery date, only for it not to arrive on time, you can cancel the order - and get a refund.

There is no doubt consumer law needed bringing up to date but if you deal with ‘bona fide’, good quality retailers, you should not have a problem - for them, the customer is, and always has been, king or queen. We are confident our retail members will deliver a good service and have your interests at heart - but you need to know your rights. Don’t forget our retailers are the only carpet retailers with a Code of Practice approved by the TSI. For peace of mind, there is nowhere to buy carpet.