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France
Your rights in case of defect products
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been implemented by France.As a result of this legislation, all consumers, who buy goods in France 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should not be possible the consumer is entitled to ask for a price reduction (smaller defects) or to have the contract rescinded.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
Except in the case of defect or lack of conformity, a consumer does not have a legal right to an exchange. It is at the trader’s discretion. Therefore it is important to verify before buying, if the trader allows an exchange.Pricing
The French currency is the euro.It is compulsory to display the prices of goods and they must be visible from the outside of the shop.
The consumer can insist on getting the item for the same price as indicated on the price tag. If there are two different prices on one item, the consumer can ask to pay the lower one, except if this price is obviously out of proportion to the real value of the product.
VAT must be included in the price.
The trader is not obliged to issue a receipt to the consumer.
Tax
On most goods and services a 19,6% value added tax –VAT (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée - TVA ) is charged in France.Methods of payment
The most common methods of payment in France are cash, cheques, debit cards, and credit cards. Some traders may refuse to take banknotes of high value (100 or 200 euros) for fear of counterfeit. Although illegal, the trader may refuse to give change and require the consumer to give the exact money for the product they wish to purchase.Sales
There are 2 sales-periods of a maximum duration of 6 weeks in the winter and summer.The dates are decided by each French department by order of the Prefect.
Opening hours
Shops’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00
Sunday: closed
Supermarkets are open between 09:00 – 22:00
Banks’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 - 17:00Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00 (not all banks open on Saturdays)
Sunday: closed
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
Sunday: closed
Deposit
There is a deposit on glass bottles.Tourist information
Tourist information can be found via the following links to websites for tourism and travel:www.tourisme.gouv.fr (official)
www.lepetitfute.com (unofficial)
www.routard.com (unofficial)
Status: April 2005
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