RETURNS policy

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF A RETAILER TRIES TO FOB YOU OFF

What are your rights if the goods you receive from a retailer aren’t of acceptable quality? Is it okay for the store to tell you to go away and take your complaint to the manufacturer?

No. If you bought a product that is not fit for purpose, you have the right to demand the retailer put things right. If it’s a minor fault, the store can either repair the product, replace it or give you a refund. If the fault is major, the customer can choose whether they want a refund or replacement. If you choose a refund, the store must reimburse in full. It is not an option for the retailer to fob off your complaint as if it were not their responsibility and tell you to take your concerns to the manufacturer. That is an option at your disposal – you can complain to the manufacturer, but that is often difficult. It is more straightforward to demand a remedy from the retailer. Of course, if it’s a product fault, the retailer is entitled, after putting things right, to seek compensation from the manufacturer.

You have read that you can refuse police entry into your home if they don’t have a search warrant. Is that correct? Surely there are some circumstances where they can insist on searching your residence without a warrant and question the people inside? Generally, the police can enter your property without a search warrant, but only to communicate briefly with you. Normally, this would mean talking briefly to the person of interest at the door. If, at any time, you do not want the police to remain on your property, you can demand they leave and they must. However, the police can stay without a search warrant if they can see evidence of criminal activity such as stolen goods. If an obvious crime is being committed, such as someone being assaulted, they can move inside without further permission. If you’ve been pursued by police who believe you’ve been driving over the limit, they can also follow you into your house without a warrant or permission. But they can’t, if they‘ve not been pursuing you – for example, acting on a tip-off. They can also enter without a warrant to enforce specific laws such

as immigration and animal welfare. If police have a search warrant, you must let them in.