How+to+complain+Fight+for+your+rights


 * **How to complain Fight for your rights: hot tips on //how// to hit back**

If something's faulty, like a DVD player that does not play DVDs, tell the shop pronto to avoid 'accepting' the goods. The longer you wait, the more likely you will lose rights. A month is a good rule of thumb, though if you have made alterations, like unlocking a phone, the time's up, but with bigger purchases, e.g. a new roof, you get more. > > This does not mean the item must last six years. The complaints timeline is crucial where something's wrong. //Complain within 1 mth//: You're usually due a full refund as you have not 'accepted' goods. //Under 6 mths:// It is for the shop to prove the item WASN'T faulty when you got it. //Over 6 mths:// You must prove it was faulty when you got it. 'Not lasting a reasonable length of time' counts as being faulty. These are a taster - for comprehensive complaining info, including a step-by-step guide, templates and full list of ombudsmen, watchdogs and regulators, read [|How to Complain]. **Related:** Part one of the [|"Give me my money back"] guides.
 * Complain ASAP for stronger rights.**
 * **Write 'paid under protest' on receipt.** Avoid making payments while in dispute. If forced, e.g. repairers have your property, specifically say you're '//paying under protest//' - it'll help if you end up in court.
 * **You can claim for up to six years.** UK rules trump the EU's guarantee, letting you use the small claims court for up to six years after purchase (five in Scotland).
 * **Always pay on plastic.** Pay for part or all of items costing £100 - £30,000 on credit card and you have identical rights to claim via the card firm as the shop - great when retailers don't play ball. On debit cards it is less strong, but you may be able to use the 'chargeback' scheme within 120 days.
 * **Check all product recalls online.** Often companies spot defects in items they sell and issue a recall. This helps future customers but if you have already paid up, check all recalls on the [|Trading Standards'] website, then put in a claim if yours is dodgy.
 * **Firms posing as customers is illegal.** The internets made it much easier for companies to pretend they are happy customers and give glowing reviews or push products. Strong regulations now ban this, as well as competitions with no prizes, displaying trust & quality marks without permission, calling items free when you must pay postage and more.