Q: I recently returned a faulty toaster I bought during a half price sale, but the shop would not give me a refund and pointed to a sign stating ‘No refund on sale goods’. Does this mean that because I bought this toaster at half price my legal rights do not apply?

A: Consumers’ rights apply to goods sold during ‘sales’ the same way they apply to full price goods. So, if the toaster you purchased is actually faulty and it can neither be repaired nor replaced, legally you are entitled to a refund from the retailer.

Signs stating ‘No refunds on sale goods’ which attempt to restrict consumers’ rights are null and void and therefore cannot be enforced by traders. Such policies may only be applied to situations whereby consumers change their minds, and have no legal rights.