The law requires that any personal computer (PC) or printer you buy must be:

• of satisfactory quality;
• fit for its purpose; and
• as described.

You can find out more about your rights in the section Introduction to your legal rights.

Before buying

Think about what you want your PC or printer to do, and decide your budget.

Don't buy a more complex PC than you need, but at the same time think about what you might want it to do in the future.

Don't assume that a cheap printer is always a good bargain. It may use more ink and therefore be more expensive to run. The best printer for you will depend on more than the initial price.

Talk to sellers - explain what you want your computer to do and ask for their advice.

Buying on credit

If buying on credit, shop around because your seller may not offer the best deal. Try to make sure that you check the terms on early settlement in your credit agreement because some schemes can carry heavy penalties for settling a credit agreement early.

Using credit card protection

If you buy your system using a credit card or finance agreement, you may have additional protection. Credit providers may share liability for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by suppliers of the goods or services, which have been partially financed by the credit.

See Introduction to your legal rights for more information.

Where to buy

There are a number of different ways in which you can buy your PC or printer, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Buying from a manufacturer or supplier direct

This is a good option if you know what you want. It can be cheaper because the sellers' overheads are low. Buying by telephone, mail order or on the internet will entitle you to a 14-day cooling off period after the goods are delivered, so you get a chance to check them over and cancel if it's not what you want.

High street shops/superstores

Although you may be physically able to see the product, test it and get any advice you need, you may not be able to take the PC away immediately as many are built to order.

Buying from a shop limits your legal rights as it doesn't give you the opportunity to return the item if you decide that you no longer want it for any reason (other than the reasons protected by law - see above). For example, you won't always be able to return just because you realise that you bought the wrong product for your requirements.

Some high street retailers may have return policies that give their customers the opportunity to return unwanted items within a specific time period. However, this isn't a legal requirement and is dependent on each retailer's discretion.

When buying

Buying online

When buying online, make sure the company has a UK contact address and telephone number in case you need to get in contact with them.

Read terms and conditions

Always read the terms and conditions and small print on any official forms. Make sure you know what your terms and conditions cover and what they don't.

Retain all paperwork

Make sure you get and keep copies of all receipts, details of the order, confirmations, correspondence and order numbers of your purchase.

If things go wrong

If you're unhappy with your PC or with the service provided by the seller, try to sort it out directly with the seller (or the head office if the seller is part of a chain).

• If you can, stop using the PC.
• Be certain that the fault wasn't caused by misuse, an accident or by not following any assembly instructions.
• Find your proof of purchase. If you haven't got a receipt, you can use a credit card voucher or cheque stub. Own-brand goods, something exclusive to one shop (such as a customised carrier bag) or the packaging may prove where you bought the item. If someone was with you when you bought it, they can back you up. Remember it's up to you to show where and when you bought the goods.
• You now need to contact the seller straight away and report the problem. Take the item, the packaging (if possible) and any proof of purchase with you. If you can't take the goods back to the shop, phone or write to the seller.

When an item is faulty

The right to reject

When you buy a PC or printer that is faulty, you'll be entitled to a full refund be entitled to a full refund so long as no more than 30 days have passed, starting on the first day after all the below has happened:

• You became the owner of the PC or printer
• It was delivered
• The seller has confirmed that the installation was completed (where the contract says that it will be installed)

You won't be entitled to this refund if you had a reasonable opportunity to examine the PC or printer when buying it and the fault was so obvious that you should have noticed it or if the seller informed you of the fault before you bought it. It also won't be available if the only issue is that the goods were not installed correctly.

If, within the 30-day period, you request the seller to repair or replace the PC or printer, then the 30-day time limit will be paused. Once this has been done, you will then have the remainder of the 30-day period or 7 days (depending on which one is longer) to check if the repair or replacement has been successful and decide whether to accept or reject it.

It'll be up to you to prove that there is something wrong with the PC or printer if the seller doesn't accept this.

A refund must be given within 14 days of the seller agreeing that you are entitled to it.

The right to a repair, replacement or refund

If you don't want a refund or aren't entitled to one, you can request that the PC or printer be repaired or replaced without being charged for it if it won't cause you significant inconvenience.

The seller can refuse to carry out either of these options if the cost of doing so would be excessive in comparison to the alternative or if it would be impractical.

An item should be repaired or replaced within a reasonable time. A repair should be completed to a satisfactory standard and a replacement should be of satisfactory quality.

In the first 6 months from the date of purchase, when you return the PC or printer to request a repair, replacement or refund, you don't have to prove that it was faulty at the time of sale. There is an assumption that it was faulty unless the seller is able to prove otherwise.

Price reduction or refund

You'll be entitled to reject the PC or printer and ask for a price reduction or refund if any of the below apply:

• the repair isn't carried out to a satisfactory standard
• the replacement is of unsatisfactory quality
• the seller refuses to repair or replace the PC or printer because the cost of doing so would be excessive or impractical
• the repair or replacement was not provided within a reasonable time or caused you significant inconvenience

You'll be entitled to a price reduction or can reject the PC or printer, depending on whether you choose to keep it. If you choose to keep it, you can claim a reduction in price, which must be an amount appropriate to your circumstances and could be the whole price.

If you reject the PC or printer then you should get a full or partial refund. This will depend on whether the seller will take any use of the item into account.

If a fault has caused additional expense

If anything else has been damaged you may be entitled to compensation over and above the price of the item.

If the seller denies responsibility

Often goods are sold with a guarantee from the manufacturer to fix any fault found with the goods within a certain period. This will only be the case as long as you tell the manufacturer about the defect within a certain date.

Sometimes the seller refers this guarantee to you and rejects any responsibility for faulty goods.

However, that the manufacturer's guarantee won't affect your right against the seller to claim a refund for the money paid for the goods (if the goods aren't of satisfactory quality or fit for their purpose). However, you must inform the seller of these defects as soon as possible.

If the seller tries to deny responsibility and tries to refer you to the manufacturer, you shouldn't accept this excuse.