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Consumer Goods & Services

Get support navigating the marketplace. Whether you're making a purchase, dealing with a complaint, or unsure of your rights, Consumer Affairs helps ensure businesses follow fair practices so you can shop with confidence.

Refunds

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1978 retailers of consumer goods are not legally obligated to provide their customers a refund or replacement item unless it can be shown that the consumer good was faulty or defective at the time the consumer good was purchased.

Returning and Repairing Damaged Goods

It’s not unusual to buy a new item and later find out it’s faulty or damaged. If this happens, you may be entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund if the product was broken, not fit for its intended purpose, or not as advertised.

Purchase of fake or counterfeit goods

Buying high-value items can sometimes expose consumers to misleading claims or counterfeit products.

Undue Influence & Misleading Statements

High-pressure sales tactics and misleading information can lead consumers into purchases they never intended to make. .

Buyers Remorse

Feeling regret after a purchase is completely normal, especially with big-ticket items. But whether you can return something often depends on the store’s return policy and where you bought it.

Reading Food Labels

Understanding food date labels is an important part of keeping your household safe and reducing unnecessary waste. Many products use different types of dates: best by, use by, and sell by and each one means something different.

Seller is Unreachable

Sometimes when trying to return an item, you may find that the business you bought it from is no longer answering phone calls or emails.

Poor Quality of Service

If you pay for a service such as a haircut, a wedding cake, or transportation, the business must use reasonable care and skill. If they don’t, you have the right to ask them to fix the problem at no extra cost or to give you a discount to reflect the poor service.

Warranties & Guarantees

Warranties play an important role in protecting you when purchasing high-cost items. Buying locally can offer added peace of mind, as many Bermuda businesses provide reliable warranties and after-care services.

Delivery Delays

Delivery delays can be frustrating, especially when you're waiting on a large purchase for your home. Understanding who is responsible for getting your item to you, and what your rights are when something goes wrong, can help you resolve the issue quickly.

Damage caused by consumer services provided

When a business sells a faulty product or provides a service without reasonable care and skill, it can cause damage to your home or personal belongings.

Cancelling a Consumer Service

Sometimes consumers need to cancel a service they’ve booked, whether before it starts or while the work is already underway. Learn more about your rights and financial obligations.

Product Recalls

Every year, products are recalled because they pose safety risks from faulty parts to contamination or incorrect labeling. Staying aware of these recalls is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your family.

Making a Claim on Your Warranty

Before making a warranty claim, it’s important to carefully read the warranty’s terms and conditions.

The difference between a Quote and an Estimate

Understanding the difference between a quote and an estimate helps you protect your budget and avoid unexpected costs. Knowing which one you’re agreeing to ensures you can make informed decisions and prevent “bill shock.”

Fraudulent Advertising & Misrepresentation

Misleading prices or confusing product information can happen both in stores and online, and it’s important to know your rights before and after you make a purchase.

Accidental purchase of Stolen Goods

Accidentally buying a stolen item can be stressful, but knowing what to do next protects you and helps support any investigation.

Damage caused by consumer goods purchased

When a faulty product or poor workmanship results in damage, it can create unexpected expenses and frustration.

Buying second-hand consumer goods

Buying second-hand can be a great way to save money, but it also comes with higher risks.

Making a Complaint

When something goes wrong with a product or service you’ve paid for, knowing how to raise a complaint and what your rights are can make all the difference.

Legal Rights & Warranties

Whether you can rely on a warranty often depends on when you try to return or repair the item and what kind of fault it has.

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