Many people had the bad experience gained in the supermarket - from buying expired goods and incorrect price tags to inspecting personal items by a security guard. Someone will only sigh and wave their hand in the belief that it is useless to fight such cases. And this is not so, since a solid “help” stands on the side of Russian buyers: the law “On Protection of Consumer Rights” and the Civil Code.
Introducing you common violations of consumer rights and ways to deal with them.
7. Product expired
The consumer’s right to product safety is enshrined in article 7 of the law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”. And according to article 18 of the same document, you can return low-quality goods to the store for replacement or refund. If there is no check, then two witnesses will be required to confirm that the product was purchased at that location. If expired goods are regularly sold at a point of sale, you can file a complaint with the regulatory body, Rospotrebnadzor.
6. The price on the price tag is one, but at the checkout - another
Currency fluctuations and an unstable economic situation lead to frequent changes in commodity prices. If you do not sell the goods for the price written on the price tag, or refuse to return the difference in money that was discovered after the check was issued, this is a consumer fraud. In this case, you need to write a complaint to Rospotrebnadzor, in connection with a violation of Article 101 of the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights".
5. Forced repair
It happens that the store repairs the goods, despite the fact that the buyer demanded money back. To prevent this from happening, you need to clearly and in writing formulate your requirements for the trading establishment. According to paragraph 1 of Article 18 of the Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, you can: demand a full refund, replacement of a defective product with a quality one (either of the same or a different brand, article, model, recalculated price), free repair of the defect, or a commensurate discounting of goods inadequate quality and partial refund of its value.
4. The packaging is damaged or the goods are broken
Paying for accidentally broken or damaged goods is voluntary, not mandatory. For goods located on the territory of the store, the store is responsible. And if the buyer received a sales receipt, then responsibility for the purchased product passes to him. You will have to pay if the buyer intentionally allowed the damage to the goods. However, the store will have to prove this in court and with relevant evidence (one of the proofs can be video recording).
3. Endless examination
If the buyer wants to return the defective goods to the store and get money for it, and the store representative insists on an examination, then it is carried out within 10 calendar days (according to article 22 of the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights"). In the case of exchanging low-quality goods for a new one, the deadline for fulfilling the requirement is 20 days (even taking into account the expertise). This is written in article 21 of the Law on Consumer Protection. The seller has the right to examine the goods in the event of a dispute with the buyer about the causes of the defect.
2. Put things in a locker
One of the most common cases of violation of consumer rights in retail outlets. If you put the bag in the storage compartment, then you conclude a storage agreement with the supermarket. It is voluntary, and not mandatory (article 421.1 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). In this case, the custodian is responsible for things. In the internal charter of the store may be spelled out the rule of leaving things of buyers in storage. In this case, the store security is required to monitor things.
1. Submit items for inspection
If upon exiting the store the magnetic frame “squeaked”, then neither the security nor the administration have the right to search you, demand to show purchases, a receipt or the entire contents of the bag. Only the police can do this, in the presence of witnesses. Store employees have the right to call the police, but you have the same right if the guard tries to use physical force. For such actions, he may face a fine or imprisonment for up to 7 years (article 203 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).