Sales contract

There are a number of rules protecting you, the consumer, when you enter and conclude a sales contract.

This section of the website considers in what situations the salesman has to comply with these rules.

It also considers the contractual obligations for both parties involved in the sale.

Introduction to a sales contract

Anyone who buys a magazine or goes to the cinema is a consumer and they are directly taking the decision to buy those goods or services. Everytime a consumer makes a purchase, they are entering into a contract with a trader. This applies even if you are buying a newspaper or a train ticket. Contracts between traders and consumers are regulated by law and this gives some protection to both the consumer and the trader. Read more

Estimates and quotations

Your roof is getting old and you want a new one, your washing machine has broken down and you are hesitating between having it repaired and getting a new one or the brakes on your car need changing. In all these situations, you need to contact a trader to find out how much a job will cost before you agree to it. The trader will give you an estimate or a quotation. It is important to understand the difference between an estimate and a quotation to save you having problems in the (...) Read more

Before you sign a contract

You want to buy a car. You have chosen the model, the colour, the different options and the dealer you wish to buy it from. After a lengthy discussion with the trader, you come to an agreement on all the main issues, including price and delivery. You are given a contract to sign. What should you do? Read more

After you sign a contract

Once you have agreed a contract, you will hopefully not encounter any problems. If, however, you have a problem then it is important to understand how you can resolve any issues that you have. Contracts between traders and consumers are regulated by law and this gives some protection to both the consumer and the trader. Read more

Payment of contract

When we buy goods and services, there is usually a chain of other people involved and this can increase the chances of something going wrong. Anyone who buys a magazine or goes to the cinema is a consumer and they are directly taking the decision to buy those goods or services. All these goods and services have to be paid for, fair enough, but when and where? Read more

Guarantees and warranties

Unfortunately consumers have problems with goods that they buy. Imagine that the sound on your new television fails to work a few days after it was delivered or that two months after buying a new car, the engine explodes. As well as your legal rights, many items like those mentioned above, come with a guarantee or warranty. Read more

An example - buying a car

Buying and then maintaining a car is one of the biggest expenses that most consumers face. It is a complicated business with plenty of potential for problems (every year, the car sales and car maintenance sectors generate tens of thousands of consumer complaints). This section of the website looks in detail at buying a car and provides information on avoiding potential problems. Read more