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The Act provides that the seller must ensure:

1. That the goods match the description given;
2. That the goods are of satisfactory quality;
3. That the goods are fit for their purpose.

These 3 conditions are implied into any contract for sale between a purchaser and seller. If they are not met the seller is in breach of contract and if the breach is serious, the purchaser is entitled to the return of his money. If the breach is less serious and can be easily fixed, the seller must carry out this work quickly and without charge. If he fails to do so or the repairs are not satisfactory, the purchaser will then still be entitled to his money back.

A purchaser will also be entitled to compensation for any financial loss which has resulted from the purchase of faulty goods.

Although a seller may offer a credit note instead of a refund, a purchaser is not obliged to accept this for faulty goods and is entitled to a full refund of the purchase price.

There is no legal entitlement to replacement goods although this may be accepted as an alternative to a cash refund.

There is no entitlement to a refund when a purchaser has changed his mind or for example has purchased a garment that doesn't fit. However many sellers offer this in addition to the statutory rights and if so this entitlement will be incorporated into the contract.

If faulty goods are kept for a long time with out telling the seller, the right to reject could be lost.

There is no legal obligation to produce a receipt when returning faulty goods although it must be shown that the goods were purchased from that seller.

It is not for the consumer to prove that goods were faulty when purchased but instead for the seller to prove that they were not. However this burden of proof in favour of the purchaser will only last for the first 6 months after purchase and will then be reversed whereby after 6 months the purchaser must prove that the goods were faulty on purchase.

Goods are of a satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price paid.