The goods delivered don't match the description. What are my rights?

What the Law Says

The Sale of Goods Act, 1930 protects buyers when goods delivered do not conform to their description. This is an implied condition that forms part of every sale contract unless expressly excluded.

Under Section 15 of the Sale of Goods Act, 1930, there is an implied condition that goods sold by description must correspond with that description. If they don’t, the buyer may treat the contract as repudiated.

This applies whether the buyer has seen the goods or not — for example, buying online based on website images and specs, or ordering from a catalogue.

The buyer must notify the seller of rejection within a 'reasonable time' after delivery — courts consider factors like nature of goods, usage, and opportunity to inspect.

Statutory Text

Where there is a contract for the sale of goods by description, there is an implied condition that the goods shall correspond with the description.

— Sale of Goods Act, 1930, s. 15 — Condition as to description

What Courts Have Said

Indian courts have consistently upheld the buyer’s right to reject misdescribed goods, especially where the mismatch goes to the root of the contract.

What to Do

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