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Greece
Your rights in case of defect products
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been implemented by Greece.As a result of this legislation, all consumers, who buy goods in Greece 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should not be possible the consumer is entitled to ask for a price reduction (smaller defects) or to have the contract rescinded.
In Greece the majority of producers do provide voluntary guarantees. The time covered by that guarantee varies from one to two years. Products of highly evolving technology are given a guarantee of a smaller period. Voluntary guarantees, though, do not affect a consumer’s statutory rights.
Exchange
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, and to obtain a written confirmation – e.g. a note on the original receipt.Pricing
The Greek currency is the euro.The price must be displayed in euros.
The consumer can insist on getting the item for the same price as indicated on the price tag. No one can sell at a price higher than indicated. Bargaining is nowadays a practice found only in tourist locations.
VAT must be included in the price.
The trader is obliged to issue a receipt to the consumer. The consumer is advised to ask for and keep the receipt.
Tax
On most non-food products and services a 18% value added tax -VAT (Foros Prostithemenis Axias – FPA) is charged in Greece.The VAT on food products is 8%.
The VAT on alcoholic beverages is 18%.
Methods of payment
The most common methods of payment in Greece are cash and credit cards.When paying by credit card, consumers may have to show identity card.
It is possible that in small restaurants (taverns) and small stores credit cards are not acceptable.
The sales
In Greece there two set sales-periods.Winter sales: mid January - end February
Summer sales: mid July – end August.
The sales periods are designated by the Ministry of Development.
Opening hours
Shops’ general opening hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 09:00 - 15:00
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 09:00 - 14:00 & 17:00 - 20:00
Large shopping malls and supermarkets are open continuously between 09:00 – 20:00.
Sunday: closed
Banks’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Thursday: 08:30 - 14:30Friday: 08:30 - 14:00
Saturday & Sunday: closed
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 08:00 - 15:00
Deposit
There are deposit schemes in certain municipalities for bottles, cans and plastic bags.Tourist information
Tourist information can be found via the following link to the official website for tourism and travel:www.eot.gr
Status: August 2004
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