Consumer Rights Revolution? Return goods for cash in Israel starts December 2010
Israel is slowly but surely starting to come ’round and realize the importance of the (gasp) consumer! The Knesset finally thinks it’s about time to get rid of receipts that say “2 weeks to return for store-credit only”. If you’ve ever bought anything in Israel, you’ll know that you better be 100% sure that you like it or that you can rush back to the store and hopefully find something else instead. New regulation has been passed that you now have those same 2 weeks, but this time you can get your money back.
Still lightyears behind the US’s return policy, it’s a step in the right direction.
Some notes:
- To qualify for a cash-back return, the item must be over 50 shekels
- Consumers will receive funds via the same method they paid
- Shoppers who purchase products from retail chains will be able to receive a refund at any of the chain’s stores.
- Full refunds will be given for all items returned within 14 days, with several exceptions and provisos for specific items. Shoes and clothing, for example may only be returned within 3 days of the purchase and on condition that they weren’t worn.
- All canceled deals will cost the buyer a 5% cancellation fee.
- Returning an electronic product will entail a 10% or NIS 100 cancellation fee – the lower of the two – if the original packaging was opened.
- Retailers are not required to provide refunds for purchases of lingerie, custom built furniture, food, medicine or foreign vacation package cancellations.
- The regulations also cover service plans, such as mobile phone contracts, hotel reservations and gym memberships.
- Companies will be forced to return the worth of the unused portion of the plan, but will be allowed to retain up to NIS 100 of the amount for services rendered or cancellation fees.
- Keep your receipt, but you can also show the label or tag on the item.
- The law goes into effect December 14, 2010, delayed from the intended October 2010.
The Big Felafel 