If the warranty has ended, it doesn't mean your rights have!

Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand

When you buy goods you have rights that protect you even if the warranty has expired. A warranty is extra to the protections in the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and can’t override or replace these. This means a retailer can't just say you're out of luck because the warranty period has ended.

The CGA says that products have to be of an acceptable quality which means they must be fit for purpose (or do what they're made to do), last for a reasonable amount of time, be safe, and be free from any minor defects. What is “acceptable quality” is based on what you could reasonably expect taking into account things like the nature of the goods, what you paid for them, and any particular statements made about the goods.

If you have a problem with something you’ve bought and the warranty period has ended, you might still be entitled to have it repaired or replaced. Check out our information on your rights as a consumer or phone CAB on 0800 367 222.

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