Consumer Rights

[tenrec]

Hi all, I recently bought a piece of furniture from a charity shop. I paid £100. However, before delivery, I measured the space to find it wouldn't fit. Went back to shop, explained and they said they could only give me a credit note, which I took. Since then, I have been popping in to see if they have anything suitable and so far no. The credit note only lasts till end of December and I am getting concerned as to what to do if I don't find anything suitable before the note runs out. Does anyone know if I can demand my money back? I know it is my fault for not measuring the space beforehand. (Lesson learnt!) Thanks for any help you can offer.

[EDDIE51]

Charity shops mainly sell second hand goods , they are not covered by the sale of goods act, you can't ask for your money back.

[Retrochic]

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/second-hand/#axzz3sPldqQnJ

you may find something there. I think you have the right to a refund and if I were you I would go back and ask for one and if they refuse ring their Head Office.

[sunny-dave]

I doubt you can get a refund (others may know better) - but you could either :

1. Ask the shop to extend the validity of the credit note

or

2. Buy something/anything else for the value, then return that as 'unsuitable' and get a new (and presumably longer dated) credit note.

[EDDIE51]

Our charity shops have notices saying 'please check furniture will fit your room before purchase as items can not be exchanged unless faulty'

[hc4361]

Even if you bought this new from a high street store you would have no right to a refund under the current laws.

The laws for second hand goods are the same:
"When you make a purchase from a second-hand shop, you can exercise exactly the same rights under the Sales of Goods Act as you can with a high-street shop that sells new items. This means that if the item is not fit for purpose or is faulty, you can demand a refund.

But if you merely change your mind about a purchase, a second-hand shop – just like any other – is under no legal obligation to provide a refund or even a return. “Instead, each shop will operate its own returns policy, which you agree to when you make the purchase,” says a spokesperson from the Citizens Advice Bureau."

http://www.moneywise.co.uk/cut-your-costs/shop-smart/your-rights-when-buying-second-hand-goods

In your case if the piece of furniture had been wrongly described such as '3 foot chest' when it is 3 foot 3 you would be entitled to a full refund. If there was no such description, you aren't.

However, the item had not left the shop before you cancelled it and I do think the shop has been harsh.

[tenrec]

Thank you very much for all your helpful comments. I will keep popping into the shop in the hopes of finding what I want and I shall ask about extending the date on the credit note. Keep up all the good work AnswerBank.