A couple signs up for a vacation package with a $400 discount by paying several months in advance, but ultimately never receives that discount. Is he entitled to compensation?
This question arose in 2013 in a case between a married couple and the travel agency Vasco Place Vertu and the airline Sunwing. However, according to the Consumer Protection Act, a retailer is prohibited from falsely claiming a price reduction or a cheaper price.
The court therefore awarded the couple $900 in damages for the annoyance, trouble and inconvenience caused by their failure to comply with the contract and prevented the airline from doing so again.
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Informed purchases
Many of you join Black Friday or Cyber Monday in search of sales. But it’s important to know a few rules so that your shopping doesn’t turn into a mess.
In fact, in this period of inflation it can be tempting to look for special offers, but be careful, the discounts announced do not always give you real savings.
However, as we have already seen, retailers have rules to follow when offering you “generous” discounts. For example, you cannot create the impression that a good is offered at retail price (or at cost price) unless that statement is correct.
The Consumer Protection Act also states that a retailer cannot claim that no taxes are payable on a product purchased.
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Installment payments: know your rights!
If a retailer offers you to pay for a product in several installments, he is obliged to check whether you are able to repay the loan requested before concluding the contract. If he does not fulfill this obligation, the dealer loses his right to credit.
In addition, he cannot advertise by indicating the amount of the regular payment without more clearly indicating the total price of the goods.
Online shopping: delivery guarantee
More and more consumers are shopping online on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When concluding a distance sales contract, the dealer is obliged to clearly and understandably indicate the shipping method, the name of the carrier and the place of delivery. Is your item being delivered slowly?
Note that you can terminate your purchase contract if the dealer does not deliver within 30 days of the scheduled date. If no date is specified in the contract, you can cancel it within 30 days of the conclusion of the contract if the goods have not been delivered to you.
The contract is terminated by simply sending a notice and a refund must be made within 15 days. If the item has been delivered in the meantime, it can of course be returned!
Informative text – This text does not constitute legal advice; It is recommended that you consult a lawyer or notary for such an opinion. Éducaloi is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inform Quebecers in clear language about their rights and responsibilities.