ArmInfo.From now on, the Armenian consumer has the right not only to exchange, but also to return non-food goods of proper quality. This legislative law was approved on April 6 at a meeting of the Government. The draft amendments to the law "On the protection of consumer rights" also expanded the range of non-food goods of appropriate quality, subject to return or exchange.
According to the Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan, the consumer has the right to exchange non-food goods of proper quality within fourteen days, from the date of purchase. The exchange of non-food goods of proper quality is carried out if the goods in question were not in use, its marketable appearance, consumer properties, seals, factory labels are retained, and there is a commodity/cash receipt for identical products of a different size, color, quality or similar equipment from the seller.
The minister recalled that earlier legislation provided for the right of the consumer (buyer) to return or replace a poor-quality non-food product, and the return was provided only in the absence of an identical product. As a result, as the head of the Ministry of Economics admitted, many business entities were limited to the exchange of goods. "Now the legislator provides for the right not only to exchange, but also to return, unless, of course, the seller has provided for a longer term," Karayan explained.
The head of the Ministry of Economy noted that there are goods that cannot be returned in accordance with the law - food products and medicines, goods that can change their quality during transportation, including newspapers, magazines, books or other printed products. In addition, goods that are custom-made are not refundable. The Government approves the list of goods that cannot be exchanged.
"Taking into account the experience of the EU, as well as the already formed culture in Armenia on the return of goods, in particular, household appliances, clothes and other goods, it became necessary to expand the list of goods of proper quality, subject to return, textile products, furniture" said Suren Karayan.
