AIBU to expect a full refund

[DreamingOfCake]

I bought a handbag from a high street shop just over a month ago and the lining has come away from the bag on most of one side of it. I paid about £70 for the bag. Am I going to get laughed out of the shop if I ask for a full refund? I've had the lining come away from bags before but they have been much cheaper bags and it has never happened after just a month. I have been using the bag every day but even so surely it shouldn't be falling apart yet?

[DreamingOfCake]

I should add that I still have the receipt and the bag is the shop's own make.

[allhailtheaubergine]

You should get a full refund. The bag is not fit for purpose.

[wonkylegs]

Nope sales of goods act requires purchases to be fit for purpose
It is perfectly reasonable to expect a £70 bag to last more than month...I presume it's an everyday type of bag not an evening bag that you've been using everyday

[DreamingOfCake]

Yes it's a big tan handbag, definitely an everyday bag rather than a delicate evening bag. Glad to hear that I should be able to take it back without problems. I do find that shops can be verrry reluctant to refund you when things aren't faulty after a month or so.

[DreamingOfCake]

Oops, I meant "when things are faulty"

[ellmum]

The bit of the Sale of Goods Act that you want to refer to is the bit about satisfactory quality (the bag is fit for purpose, it's just not up to the job due to its poor quality). You will be deemed to have 'accepted' the bag which, technically, means you're not strictly entitled to a full refund. You are, so long as there's been no misuse etc, entitled to a repair or replacement. Fortunately, there are only about three traders I know of who have ever heard of acceptance, so I think you'll probably get your money back. Just be aware that it isn't really what you are entitled to by law (unless of course this shop has its own returns policy that does allow full refunds if goods are faulty). As you have had the bag less than 6 months the burden of proof lies with the trader, that means that they would have to demonstrate any misuse or accidental damage if they want to wriggle out of providing a remedy on that basis. I would keep that in mind as it does deter some traders from playing silly beggars. If you paid by Visa Debit that you can try and use the chargeback scheme via your bank if the trader refuses to do anything.