As a consumer, you have certain rights to protect you from being cheated. In accordance with the Sale of Goods Act, you have the right to have a defective article - or one that does not live up to the assurances of the seller - exchanged or repaired. All you have to do is approach the seller within 24 months of the purchase date.
Complaints within 24 months
You must bring the purchase receipt. And you must not be responsible for the defect.
Guarantee
When you buy an electrical appliance or something larger, for example, you may be issued with a guarantee. This is a service provided by the dealer, and in no way does it replace the terms and provisions of the Sale of Goods Act. But the dealer can choose to issue you with a guarantee. A guarantee must put you in a better position than the right of complaint provided by the Sale of Goods Act, which ensures the right of complaint for two years and possibly the right to have the item exchanged or repaired.
If you change your mind
You do not have the right to exchange an item simply because you regret having bought it. Having said this, it is still possible to do so in many shops. Some shops will also refund your money. While others will issue you with a credit note for the amount or the possibility of exchanging the item for something else in the shop.
Declaration and labelling
You have the right to know the manufacture date of the foodstuff s you buy as well as their storage life. There are several schemes for the labelling and control of foodstuffs. For example, this may be a guarantee that a product has been organically manufactured. Non-foodstuff products are labelled to show whether they are environment-friendly or energy-effi cient, for example.
Ø-mærket (the Danish Ø-label)
The Ø-mærket (the Danish Ø label) is used in connection with foodstuffs and plants. The Danish Ø-label indicates that the product is guaranteed by state-control to be organic in origin. This means that no pesticides have been used in the production process, with a few exceptions such as sulphur, for example. Artifi cial fertlizer is prohibited if at least 80% of pet fodder is organic.
Svanen (the Danish Swan label)
Svanen (the Danish Swan eco label) is the Nordic Council of Ministers’ eco label for non-foodstuff products such as detergent powder, cleaning agents and toilet paper. The label indicates that the products are the most environmentally ustainable in the relevant product category.
Energy labelling
Energy labelling is a mandatory, joint European labelling of different white goods, electric ovens, cars and light sources, i.e. electric light bulbs, halogen lamps, fl uorescent lighting, etc. The A-label shows that the product has the lowest energy consumption compared to corresponding products.
Possibilities for complaint
If you feel you have been unjustly treated by a shop or seller when you have complained about their product, you can contact the Consumer Complaints Board or a private complaints and appeal board. You will have to pay a fee when you register your complaint. If the board finds in your favour, you will get a full refund. You can find out more about your complaint possibilities by logging onto www.forbrug.dk.
Credits: The Danish Immigration Service
