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SHOPPING IN EUROPE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Imagine entering a large department store for the first time. You feel excited but overwhelmed by the choice of goods. Where do you start? The logical first step is to locate a store directory and plan from there.
Shopping in Europe is your essential guide to shopping in the European marketplace. The guide is packed with information on your consumer rights in fourteen of the old Member States. It covers topics such as guarantees, pricing regulations, popular payment methods as well as listing opening hours for shops, banks and post offices.
As a consumer in the EU you are protected by legislation when you shop for goods and services. Shopping in Europe is your guide to shopping with confidence in the European marketplace.
Please note that this is a guide only and not a legal text.
THE COMMON RIGHTS IN CASE OF DEFECT PRODUCTS
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been implemented by Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
As a result of this legislation, all consumers, who buy goods in one of the above Member States, have the same right to a minimum guarantee of 2 years on products. Within the first six months of purchase, any lack of conformity or defect shall be presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless proved otherwise. After the first six months, it is up to the consumer to prove that the lack of conformity existed at the time of delivery.
Within this period of 2 years the consumer is entitled to have the goods brought into conformity free of charge. In the first place, the consumer may require the seller to repair the goods or he may require the seller to replace them, unless this is impossible or disproportionate.
Any repair or replacement shall be completed within a reasonable time and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of the goods and the purpose for which the consumer required the goods. If this should not be possible the consumer is entitled to ask for a price reduction (smaller defects) or to have the contract rescinded.
Voluntary guarantees given by a producer do not restrict the statutory rights of consumers.
For specific information and advice on EU consumer rights, please contact one of the 15 Centres of the European Consumer Centre Network. The addresses are listed on the last page of this guide.
Status: August 2004
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