Have you have ever bought something that you were not happy with when you got home? If so, EU rules provide you with a certain set of rights.

One is that you can change your mind within 14 days – without giving a reason – and receive a full refund, if your product was purchased online, over the phone, by mail order or from a door-to-door salesperson. Be careful though, because this right does not apply to products bought in a shop or tailor-made especially for you.

Regardless of where you bought an item, if it is faulty you have the right to have it repaired or replaced by the seller. If this does not work out, you should get a price reduction or a full refund. Throughout the EU, the legal guarantee for products is at least two years. During the first year, it is assumed that a product that does not work was faulty from the start. After a year, in most countries you must then prove that this was the case.

Remember that these rules apply only if you bought from a business. If you buy from a private individual, EU consumer rules do not apply, even if the goods they sell are new. Your rights regarding private sales depend exclusively on national law.

If you have problems with an item you bought in another EU country, and you are unable to resolve the issue with a professional seller, you can turn to the European Consumer Centre for help. Regardless of where the product was bought, you can also try to settle the dispute out of court using an alternative dispute resolution procedure, or through the online dispute resolution platform, if it was bought online.