Many people have had bad experiences at the supermarket, from buying expired items and incorrect price tags to seeing a security guard over their personal belongings. Someone will just sigh and wave their hand in the belief that it is useless to deal with such cases. And this is not so, since there is a solid "help" on the side of Russian buyers: the law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" and the Civil Code.
Introducing you common options for consumer violations and how to deal with them.
7. The goods are expired
The consumer's right to product safety is enshrined in Article 7 of the Consumer Protection Law. And according to article 18 of the same document, you can return a defective product to the store for its replacement or refund. If there is no receipt, then two witnesses will be required to confirm that the product was purchased at this location. If the outlet regularly sells expired goods, you can file a complaint with the regulatory body - Rospotrebnadzor.
6. The price on the price tag is one, and at the checkout - another
Currency fluctuations and unstable economic conditions lead to frequent changes in commodity prices. If you do not sell the product 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 a store repairs a product, 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 Protection of Consumer Rights", you can: demand a full refund, replacement of the defective product with a quality one (either the same or a different brand, article, model, with a recalculation of the price), free elimination of the defect or a commensurate markdown of the product inadequate quality and partial refund of its value.
4. The packaging is damaged or the product is broken
Paying for an accidentally broken or damaged product is voluntary, not mandatory. The store is responsible for the goods in the store. 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 deliberately damaged the goods. However, the store will have to prove this in court and with the appropriate evidence (as one of the evidence can serve as a recording from video cameras).
3. Endless expertise
If the buyer wants to return the defective product to the store and get money for it, and the store's 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 case of exchange of 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 Protection of Consumer Rights".The seller has the right to have the goods examined in the event of a dispute with the buyer about the reasons for the defect.
2. Put things in the storage room
One of the most widespread cases of violation of consumer rights in trade establishments. If you put your bag in a storage compartment, you are signing a storage contract with the supermarket. It is voluntary, not mandatory (Article 421.1 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). In this case, the custodian is responsible for things. The internal charter of the store may stipulate the rule for leaving the items of buyers for storage. In this case, the security of the store is obliged to monitor things.
1. Present your belongings for inspection
If, when leaving the store, the magnetic frame “squeaked”, then neither the security nor the administration have the right to search you, demand to show your purchases, a receipt or the entire contents of the bag. This can only be done by the police, in the presence of attesting witnesses. Store employees have the right to call the police, but you also 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).