The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (or "CPFTA") provides consumers with protection against defective goods which don't meet the contract's requirements at the time of delivery.
Examples include:
If you buy defective goods covered by the consumer protection laws, you can ask the seller to repair, replace, reduce the price, or refund your purchase.
This must be done within six months of buying the item (Section 9(12) of the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003).
If repairing or replacing the goods is disproportionately costly or impossible for the seller, you can either keep them at a reduced price or return them for a refund.
The consumer protection laws under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA) only protect certain types of physical goods, like clothing, electronics, furniture, and vehicles.
They don't cover services, real estate property, business-to-business transactions, or consumer-to-consumer transactions.
Second-hand goods and vehicles are included, but "satisfactory quality" considers their age at delivery and the price paid.
Yes, online purchases of physical goods, such as clothes or household items, are covered by Lemon Laws. Online purchases of services or virtual goods, like objects bought in an online game, aren't covered.
Consumer protection laws apply to physical goods sold, regardless of whether the seller is in Singapore. However, enforcing your rights under these laws against a foreign seller might be difficult or impossible, as you might need help from a court in the seller's country.
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If you buy a defective product covered by these consumer protection laws, you can first ask the seller to fix or replace the item within a reasonable time and without causing you much trouble. (This must be done within 6 months of buying or receiving the item). The seller may choose another solution if your request is impossible or unreasonable for them.
If fixing or replacing the item is impossible or unreasonable for the seller, or if they didn't do it within a reasonable time and without causing you much trouble, you can either:
If you find the defect within 6 months of receiving the item, the seller must prove that the defect didn't exist at the time of delivery. If they can't, you have the rights mentioned above.
If you find the defect more than 6 months after receiving the item, you only have the rights mentioned above if you can prove that the defect existed when the item was delivered to you.
Keep in mind that you don't have rights under Lemon Laws if you:
Be careful: if you make a fake claim, you can be sued and face criminal charges.
It's reasonable to expect new items to be in better condition than used ones. For example, if you buy a 10-year-old car, you can't expect it to be like a brand-new car. But you can expect it to work as well as a car of that age and model should. If it doesn't, you can seek help from the dealer under the consumer protection laws.
Discounted or sale items with small defects or limitations aren't excluded from the consumer protection laws. However, if the seller told you about the defects or limitations before you bought the item, they likely won't be held responsible.
The consumer protection laws don't control prices, and businesses can set different prices for their products for various reasons, like costs and customer demand. Customers can choose to shop at businesses with competitive prices and pick products that meet their needs.
However, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) can control prices of essential goods through the Price Control Act. An example is the (Rice Stockpile Scheme). You can find more information on the Act at PCA1950.
To contact MTI, visit MTI or email them at [email protected].
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First, attempt to resolve the issue with the seller directly. Reach out to them and try to find a solution together. For instance, if you bought something advertised as new but it wasn't, you could ask for an exchange or a discount if you're willing to keep the item.
If talking with the seller doesn't help, a mediation service might be able to assist you. Mediation involves a neutral third party who helps both sides reach an agreement. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is a well-known mediation service provider. They can also direct you to industry-specific mediation services and keep track of problematic sellers.
If neither option works, you could file a claim with the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) or a court, depending on the amount involved. You'll likely need a lawyer for court claims.
CASE should be your first point of contact. They can assist you by negotiating with the seller or mediating the dispute. You can also go to the SCT for claims up to $20,000 (or $30,000 if both parties agree). The CPFTA allows consumers to sue sellers for unfair practices and seek compensation.
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS)'s role is to gather evidence against persistent bad sellers, file injunction applications with the courts, and enforce compliance with court orders.
If you suspect a criminal act, file a police report with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) at a nearby station or online at eservices police using your SingPass.
If you're based overseas or a foreigner without a SingPass, submit your feedback to the SPF at police iwitness.
Find more information on filing a claim with the SCT.
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