Return policies and consumers rights

Q: I purchased a digital camera from a local retailer. After two months, some of its functions stopped working as they should. When I went back to the shop, the sales assistant informed me that the company's policy states it won't accept returns after 28 days. Does this mean I do not have any rights?

A: The retailer has no legal authority to put a time limit on the return of faulty goods. Retailers can only adopt a return policy when consumers wish to exchange goods that are not faulty.

When, on the other hand, goods are faulty or not as agreed with the seller, consumers are entitled to request a remedy within two years from the date of purchase. It is up to the consumer to prove that this time limit is not exceeded. This can only be done through the proof of purchase.

The law also stipulates that consumers must inform the trader about the lack of conformity in writing within two months from discovery of the defect. Hence, when a product stops functioning well, no time should be wasted.

This is the law and this is what consumers are entitled to. No policy can or has the power to take away these rights from consumers.