Q: A few days ago I bought a mobile phone from a specific shop in a commercial centre and I paid €199 for it. As soon as I left the shop I noticed that a nearby shop was selling the same mobile phone for €20 less.
I went back to the shop from where I bought the mobile phone and asked to return it because it was cheaper across the road. They refused to take back the phone and refund me the money.
Am I not entitled to a cooling off period? Do I have any rights?
A: Since the mobile phone was purchased from a shop and not through a distance means of communication or off-premises, the 14 days cooling off period do not apply in this case.
In such situations the seller is neither legally obliged to accept back the phone and give you a refund, nor is he obliged to refund you the difference in price.
It is the consumers’ responsibility to shop around and look out for the best deals before they make a buying decision.
Once a sale is concluded, consumers are only legally entitled to a remedy if the product purchased does not conform to the contract of sale.