IrelandA trader won't give me a refund for defective goods.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, you are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement for defective goods — and the trader must provide a remedy without undue delay, usually within 30 days.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Rights Act 2022 gives you clear rights when goods you buy are faulty, not as described, or not fit for purpose.
If goods are defective at the time of purchase, the trader must offer you a remedy — which can be a repair, replacement, or refund — without charging you and without undue delay.
You’re entitled to a full refund if the defect is significant or if repair or replacement isn’t possible, hasn’t been done within a reasonable time, or causes you significant inconvenience.
The law says the trader must act ‘without undue delay’ — this generally means within 30 days of your request. If they fail to do so, you may be entitled to a price reduction or final right to reject the goods.
Your rights last for up to six years from the date of purchase (or delivery) — the time limit for taking legal action in Ireland for breach of contract.
Statutory TextA trader must, without undue delay and free of charge, repair or replace the goods or, where that is not possible or cannot be done within a reasonable time and without causing significant inconvenience to the consumer, provide a refund.
— Consumer Rights Act 2022, s. 30 — Remedies for breach of contract relating to goods
What to Do
Contact the trader in writing (email or letter), clearly stating the problem and requesting a refund, repair, or replacement under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
Keep copies of all communication, receipts, and photos of the defect.
If the trader refuses, contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) at ccpc.ie or call 0818 808 099.
As a last resort, you may take a small claim (up to €2,000) through the Small Claims Procedure in the District Court.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.