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Your Questions

Question: "I paid a £50 deposit on furniture, but changed my mind later. The shop won't give me my money back. Can they do this?"

Response:  Probably.  When you place an order you enter into a contract.  Some traders take a deposit as security.  If you cancel the order without justification, you may be penalised for breach of contract.  The amount of the penalty depends on the circumstances, but it could be the amount of the deposit.

Question: "I bought a computer yesterday and I think it is faulty. I have stopped the cheque but the shop manager is now threatening to take me to court. What are my rights?"

Response: Generally, it is very risky to stop a cheque.  This is because a cheque is, legally, a promise to pay.  By breaking that promise you may be liable to a claim against you by the shop, even though you might have been supplied with faulty goods.  It is better to complain to the shop promptly in order to negotiate a refund or replacement.  Remember, in the UK, paying by credit card for goods over £100 gives you additional rights if things go wrong.

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