Q&A Your legal questions answered.
Send your questions to askdean@people.co.uk
Michaela Winchester from Cambridge was told by her garage her Ford Mondeo needed a split water pipe replacing. She authorised this and agreed the price. But when she picked it up they had also replaced several other parts which, they said, were “totally worn out and in urgent need of attention”. My advice: There was no agreement for the garage to carry out
QA “Top-quality”made-tomeasure suit I ordered online fitted perfectly but the material is appalling. I’ve complained but they are refusing a refund as the suit is bespoke. John Guest THE fact the suit is bespoke is irrelevant here. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says goods must be “as described”and “of satisfactory quality”. This suit appears to breach both of these fundamental requirements, so the retailer will have to refund you.
AQI BOUGHT decking planks advertised as having minor defects, such as small knots and slight discolouration. But when they arrived the quality was far worse than the website described. The retailer won’t refund me as they were clearly described as faulty. David Jones
AYOU can tell the retailer you want to return the goods and obtain a refund as you have changed your mind – you can do this under the Consumer Contract Regulations. You must do this within 14 days of delivery and you may have to pay for collection, depending on their terms and conditions. Or tell them the goods are not as described so you want a refund. an indication of the eventual cost. I’ve heard many stories where the estimate was used to convince the consumer to use the garage which then ramps up the price.
The garage can only do this if you give them a general authorisation to repair your vehicle, no matter what the cost is. But that price must be “reasonable”. It’s best to say you don’t authorise work exceeding the estimate.
Finally, a garage has what is called a lien over your vehicle if you do not pay their bill. This means they can legally refuse to return the vehicle until you pay.