What consumer rights apply when you buy in the UK?
Goods bought in the UK must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, and services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Distance and online purchases carry a separate cancellation right within a set period.
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How it works
Remedies follow a sequence: repair or replacement first in most cases, then a price reduction or refund if that fails. The trader is the counterparty, so a claim is made against the seller rather than the manufacturer.
Commonly mixed up with
A shop's returns policy is a commercial goodwill policy and sits on top of the statutory rights, not instead of them.
What consumer rights apply when you buy in the UK?
| Knowledge, London | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Goods bought in the UK must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, and services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Distance and online purchases carry a separate cancellation right within a set period. |
| How it works | Remedies follow a sequence: repair or replacement first in most cases, then a price reduction or refund if that fails. The trader is the counterparty, so a claim is made against the seller rather than the manufacturer. |
| Commonly mixed up with | A shop's returns policy is a commercial goodwill policy and sits on top of the statutory rights, not instead of them. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is there a cooling-off period?
- Distance and online sales carry a statutory cancellation period.
- Who do I claim from?
- The seller you bought from.
- Do rights cover services?
- Services must be performed with reasonable care and skill.
- Are digital products covered?
- Digital content has its own statutory standards.
- Where are the rules?
- GOV.UK publishes consumer rights guidance.
Sources
More in this track
- What is the UK ETA and who needs one?
- Which UK work visa routes exist?
- What passport validity does the UK require?
- Can visitors use the NHS in London?
- How long can a visitor stay in the UK?
- How do family members join someone in the UK?
- What is the right to rent check in England?
- Can you drive in the UK on a foreign licence?
- What happens at the UK border on arrival?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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