It seems we could lose our right to a cash refund on shoddy goods as there are plans afoot to harmonise EU legislation as refunds are not offered in other European countries.

My MEP Robert Sturdy has objected to European Commission plans which would abolish consumers’ rights to a refund for faulty goods, bringing legislation in line with other EU countries.

The EU’s Consumer Rights Directive could ban shops giving refunds in the UK in an attempt to harmonise consumer protection and reduce some of the obstacles and uncertainties facing consumers when purchasing from abroad. The legislation would also cover goods bought over the phone or the internet.

Instead of money-back guarantees, the directive would allow traders to offer only the repair or replacement of faulty goods.

I’m not surprised there was instant local media interest in this story as soon as I issued a press release on this issue, with Robert quite rightly declaring:

“I am totally opposed to these plans which water down the rights of British consumers who need full protection against shoddy goods, including the right of a full refund. While this directive is intended to increase the rights of consumers so they have greater confidence when buying products from abroad, it must not reduce their rights at home.

“I am hoping that when the new Commission is in place, this nonsense will get swept under the carpet and forgotten about. It’s another example of bureaucratic meddling which we must protest against rather than allowing the Commission to interfere with how we live our lives in the UK.”