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Austria
Your rights in case of defect products
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been implemented by Austria. The rules are applicable for contracts between all kinds of parties. Companies cannot reduce or restrict the rights of consumers.As a result of this legislation, all consumers, who buy goods in Austria have the 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should not be possible the consumer is entitled to ask for a price reduction (smaller defects) or to have the contract rescinded.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.
Exchange
Consumers have no legal right to exchange goods. Some traders will allow an exchange, although this is at their discretion. Consumers should obtain written confirmation of the trader’s agreement to allow an exchange -e.g. a note on the original receipt.Pricing
The Austrian currency is the euro.A price must be displayed on the good, and indicate clearly the cost per good / per unit (litre, kilo, etc).
According to Austrian contract law, a price tag does not represent a legal offer, thus consumers cannot insist on getting the item for the same price as indicated on the price tag. Therefore it is advisable to ask at the cash point before paying.
However, should the trader not sell the good for the price indicated on the tag, this would constitute a violation of competition law and would be liable to prosecution by the authorities.
Prices must include VAT and fees (gross price).
The trader is obliged to issue a receipt to the consumer.
Tax
On most goods and services a 20% value added tax – VAT (Umsatzsteuer – USt. or Mehrwertsteuer – MwSt.) is charged in Austria.The VAT on food, books, animals, plants, art etc. is 10% VAT in Austria.
Methods of payment
The most common methods of payment in Austria are cash, debit cards and credit cards (most of the shops have a limit of approximately € 400,00).When paying by credit card, consumers are not obliged to show identity card.
The sales
There are no set periods of sales.Opening hours
The opening hours vary from state to state.Shops’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 12:00 (small shops) & 09:00 - 17:00 (large shops)
Sunday: closed
Banks’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 08:00 - 15:00Thursday: 08:00 - 17:30
Saturday & Sunday: closed
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 08:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 08:00 - 12:00 (large offices)
Deposit
There is a deposit on some bottles.Tourist information
Tourist information can be found via the following links to official websites for tourism and travel:http://www.austria-tourism.at/
http://info.austria.at/
http://www.urlaub.at/info/informationen.php3
http://info.wien.at/
Database of Austrian law:
http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/englische-rv/
Status: August 2004
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