Martin Lewis reveals shoppers could reclaim hundreds | Personal Finance | Finance

MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis has told viewers they could be reclaiming hundreds of pounds, as UK retailers increasingly tell customers their broken devices are “out of warranty”.

UK shoppers could be entitled to refunds, repairs or replacements on faulty technology even after their manufacturer’s warranty has expired. In a TikTok video, Mr Lewis told viewers that a customer’s statutory legal rights should prevent stores from turning away customers who return with broken devices. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods sold in the UK must be of satisfactory quality, as described, fit for purpose, and last a reasonable length of time.

He recommended using the humorous ‘SAD FART’ acronym to remember this list of conditions (Satisfactory, As Described, Fit for Purpose and last a Reasonable length of Time).

Mr Lewis said: “If you’ve bought some tech, it’s gone faulty and you’ve taken it back – do not allow them to fob you off by saying, ‘I’m sorry. It’s out of warranty. We can’t do anything.’”

The money-saving expert urged customers to understand that a retailer’s warranty and a consumer’s statutory rights are different – and that every customer is entitled to these rights.

“Let’s be very plain here,” he said. “Your warranty is a voluntary service agreement that a shop or a manufacturer chooses to give you over a product, but you also have statutory legal rights.”

He used an example to elaborate on what constitutes as a ‘reasonable length of time’ on a product.

“Well, if I bought a 50p whistle and it broke after six months, well, that’s probably reasonable. If I bought a £1,400 phone and it stopped working after 14 months, I wouldn’t say that was reasonable.”

He explained that ultimately the court decides but if customers feel their product doesn’t pass the ‘SAD FART’ rules, they should ask for either a partial refund, repair or a replacement. Although, he reminded customers if they take the product back within the first 30 days they can get a full refund.

He concluded: “So don’t be fobbed off. Look at what’s reasonable. Warranty? Pretty irrelevant when it comes to the law.”