Consumer protection

Housekeeper with washing machine

Registration should be the first step to protect yourself as a consumer, ensuring a safe life for your appliance for the product’s expected lifespan.

It’s equally important to know your rights and have an understanding of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, whereby all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. Retailers must assume that a fault appearing during the first six months, existed when the product was supplied.  In this case, you have the right to a repair, replacement and if this fails, a refund. Your legal right to reject faulty goods outright and get a full refund, runs for 30 days only. If a fault develops after six months, the burden is on you to prove the fault existed when the product was supplied.

Since June 2013, buyers of items purchased on-line, by telephone or mail order have 14 days from the date of delivery/installation to assess the product and decide if they want to keep it. This has nothing to do with whether a product is faulty and is merely to allow consumers to assess a product in their own home as well as they would if buying a product in a face to face sale in a shop.

For more information on the Consumers Right Act 2015 and other useful links take a look at information provided by RMA supporter Citizens Advice:

Consumer Rights Act, 2015

Solve an ongoing consumer problem with a business seller – Citizens Advice

– Letter to cancel or return goods bought online, over the phone or by mail order – Citizens Advice

– Claim using a warranty or guarantee – Citizens Advice

Remember, if you do have a problem with a new appliance you can instead choose to claim under the manufacturer’s guarantee. Terms and conditions vary across products and are the manufacturer’s own assurance regarding quality and lifespan. They will normally include free repairs or replacement for a specified time. It will often require a separate registration to validate it.