You bought something. It broke. The shop is pointing at a “No Refunds” sign and shrugging. What are your actual rights under Irish law?

The short answer: that “No Refunds” sign is not worth the cardboard it’s printed on, at least where the goods are genuinely faulty. Irish consumer protection law gives you significant rights, and shops cannot contract out of them.

The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act

The primary law governing your rights when buying goods in Ireland is the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 (as amended by the Consumer Rights Act 2022). Under this law, every product sold by a trader must meet three basic standards:

1. Of merchantable quality — the product must work properly and be free of defects, taking into account its price and description.
2. Fit for purpose — the product must do what it’s reasonably expected to do, and if you told the seller you needed it for a specific purpose, it must be fit for that.
3. As described — the product must match what was advertised, described, or shown in samples.

If a product fails any of these tests, the trader has breached its legal obligations — and you’re entitled to a remedy.

The “Three Rs”: Repair, Replacement, or Refund

When goods are faulty, you have the right to one of three remedies, sometimes called the Three Rs:

The trader normally gets to choose which remedy to offer, provided the chosen remedy is possible and reasonable. For example:

• If the fault is minor and easily fixed, the trader can offer a repair
• If repair would take an unreasonable time or cost, you can demand a replacement or refund
• If neither repair nor replacement is reasonable, you’re entitled to a refund
• If the trader has attempted a repair and the fault recurs, you can usually demand a full refund or replacement

The time limits

Your right to a remedy generally lasts for the reasonable life of the product, but two practical time limits matter:

• 30 days: If you discover a fault within 30 days of purchase, you can usually demand a full refund rather than accept a repair or replacement.
• Six years: The general statute of limitations for breach of contract claims is six years from the date of purchase. After this, formal legal action becomes difficult.

Between 30 days and six years, your rights still exist, but the trader has more scope to offer repair or replacement rather than a refund — and the older the product, the more reasonable that becomes.

What if the shop refuses?

If a shop refuses to honour your rights for faulty goods, take these steps:

1. Stay calm and ask to speak with a manager. Cite the Sale of Goods Act and your right to one of the Three Rs.
2. Put it in writing. Send a letter or email stating the fault, when you bought it, what remedy you want, and a reasonable deadline (usually 14-28 days) for them to respond.
3. If you paid by credit card or debit card, contact your bank. Section 75 protection (for credit purchases) and chargeback rights (for debit) may allow your card issuer to reverse the charge.
4. Lodge a complaint with the CCPC. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission can investigate and take enforcement action against retailers in serious cases.
5. File a Small Claims Court case. For amounts up to €2,000, you can use the Small Claims procedure — the fee is €25 and you don’t need a solicitor.

Special situations

Online purchases

For purchases made online, you have additional rights under the Consumer Rights Directive. You have a 14-day “cooling off” period to cancel any online order, even if there’s nothing wrong with the item — and this is on top of your rights if the product is faulty.

Sale items

“Reduced for clearance” or “sale” items have the same rights as full-price items unless the trader specifically pointed out the fault before purchase. A shop cannot use a sale tag to escape its obligations for goods that are simply faulty.

Second-hand goods

Second-hand goods sold by traders are still covered, but the standard of “merchantable quality” is adjusted for the age and price of the item. A €20 used kettle is not expected to work like a new one — but it should work, and not break in a week.

Final thoughts

Irish consumer law is on your side when goods are genuinely faulty. The Three Rs framework — repair, replacement, or refund — gives you a clear ladder of remedies, and traders cannot contract out of these rights with signs or store policies. If you’re polite but firm, cite the legislation, and follow up in writing, most reputable retailers will resolve the issue without escalation. For those that don’t, the Small Claims Court and CCPC give you accessible enforcement paths.