SingaporeAn online seller sent me a different product than ordered. What now?
Under Singapore law, if an online seller delivers a different product than what you ordered, it’s a breach of the implied term that goods must match the description — you can reject the goods and demand a refund or replacement.
What the Law Says
The Sale of Goods Act sets out key protections for buyers in Singapore, including when goods are sold by description — which applies to almost all online purchases.
When you order a product online, the seller is legally required to deliver goods that match the description provided — whether on the website, in ads, or in your order confirmation. This is not optional: it’s an implied term of the contract under the law.
If the seller sends something different — for example, a blue shirt instead of a red one, or a 64GB phone instead of a 256GB one — they have breached section 13 of the Sale of Goods Act. You are entitled to reject the incorrect item and ask for a full refund or correct replacement.
This right applies even if the wrong item is of equal or higher value. The law protects your expectation based on the description — not just the price or quality.
Statutory TextWhere there is a contract for the sale of goods by description, there is an implied condition that the goods will correspond with the description.
— Sale of Goods Act, s. 13 — Implied condition as to description
What to Do
Contact the seller immediately (in writing) to point out the mismatch and state you’re rejecting the goods under s. 13 of the Sale of Goods Act.
Keep proof: save screenshots of the product description, your order confirmation, and any communication with the seller.
Request either a full refund or delivery of the correct item — the seller must bear return shipping costs if the error was theirs.
If the seller refuses, you may file a claim with the Small Claims Tribunals (for claims up to S$20,000; or S$30,000 if both parties agree).
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.