Faulty Goods Refund in Ireland
If something you bought is faulty, not as described, or not fit for purpose, the Consumer Rights Act 2022 protects you. Your contract is with the seller, not the manufacturer, so it is the shop or online trader you deal with, even if there is a separate manufacturer's guarantee. What you are entitled to depends on how quickly the fault showed up. The good news: you can pursue a remedy for a faulty item for up to six years in Ireland.
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Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, goods must be of the required quality, fit for their intended purpose, and as described. If a fault appears within the first 30 days, you have a short-term right to terminate the contract and get a full refund. After 30 days, you can generally ask the seller to repair or replace the goods; if repair or replacement is impossible, fails, or is unreasonable, you can claim a price reduction for a minor fault or a refund for a serious one. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is Ireland's enforcement body and provides guidance and can take action against traders who breach the Act.
Step by step
- 1Contact the seller, describe the fault clearly, and state which remedy you want, a refund within the 30-day short-term right to terminate, or a repair or replacement after that, citing the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
- 2Provide proof of purchase such as a receipt, bank statement, or order confirmation, and keep the faulty item and its packaging where possible.
- 3If repair or replacement fails or is refused, put in writing that you now require a full refund (serious fault) or price reduction (minor fault), giving the seller a reasonable deadline to respond.
- 4If the seller still refuses, report the trader to the CCPC and consider a claim through the Small Claims procedure of the District Court for amounts up to 2,000 euro.
What they'll say, and your comeback
“You need to take this up with the manufacturer, not us.”
Comeback, My contract is with you as the seller under the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The seller is responsible for providing the remedy; a separate manufacturer's guarantee is in addition to my statutory rights, not a replacement for them.
“We only offer a credit note or store voucher, not a refund.”
Comeback, Where I am entitled to a refund under the Act, that means money back by the original payment method. A credit note is not a substitute unless I choose to accept one.
“You have had the item too long, so there is nothing we can do.”
Comeback, In Ireland I can seek a remedy for faulty goods for up to six years from when I received them. The fault is a breach of the statutory quality standard, so please confirm how you will repair, replace, or refund.
FAQ
Do I have to accept a repair if I would rather have a refund?
Within the first 30 days you can choose to reject the goods and claim a full refund outright. After 30 days the seller can usually offer a repair or replacement first; you only move to a refund or price reduction if that remedy fails, is impossible, or would cause you significant inconvenience.
What if I bought the item in a sale or second-hand?
Sale items carry the same rights for faults as full-price items. For second-hand goods from a trader you are still protected, though what counts as satisfactory quality takes account of the age and price. Private sales between individuals are not covered by the Act.
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- UKHow to get a refund for a faulty product (even 'out of policy')
- UK / EUHow to get a refund when your order never arrived
- EUResolve a cross-border online purchase dispute (ECC-Net)
- SpainCómo reclamar la devolución por un producto defectuoso en España
- PortugalDevolução de produto com defeito em Portugal
- FranceProduit défectueux : garantie légale de conformité en France
A self-serve tool, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice.