Defective chairs

Q: I purchased an outdoor teak table and a set of four chairs. After just a few weeks, one of the chairs broke while a guest, a person of normal weight, was sitting on it. It seems a part of the chair came unstuck, because the glue did not hold, and caused the damage.

I would like to point out that I have used this outdoor furniture only three times. Furthermore, when not in use I take the chairs inside for extra protection. Can I ask the seller to replace the chair for free?

A: By law, sold goods should be fit for the particular purpose for which the consumer requires them. Furthermore, goods sold should also be fit for all normal purposes. In your particular case, you purchased an outdoor chair which, firstly, should be suitable for use outdoors and, secondly, should be able to support a person of normal weight.

Apparently this is not the case. So if the damage was not caused by mishandling on your part, you can ask the seller to have the chair replaced for free. Should the trader refuse your request, you can register a complaint with the Consumer and Competition Division by calling freephone 8007 4400.