There's often confusion concerning the rights of consumers when it comes to repairing or replacing products still under warranty. To clarify this, Brief contacted Virginia Christou, the Legal Advisor of the Cyprus Consumer Association.

As Ms. Christou highlighted, by law, businesses are obligated to either repair or replace a product still under warranty within 25 days of receiving it. If this period lapses without action, the consumer is entitled to either receive a new product or a refund. The company can extend repair efforts beyond 25 days only if they've informed the consumer and gained their consent. It's crucial for consumers to acquire a receipt when returning a defective product for repair, as this marks the start of the 25-day period.

The Consumer Association has also received complaints about retailers refusing to address products with a two-year warranty. Many retailers direct consumers to their partners for product defect resolution, emphasizing that the packaging and transportation of the defective product is the consumer's responsibility. However, this practice, as stated by the Consumer Association, is illegal and breaches the provisions of the relevant law (N.154(I)/2021), causing significant inconvenience to consumers.

The retailer is obliged to receive the defective product and issue a relevant receipt. The consumer isn't bound to hand over the defective product to any third parties, technicians, or associates of the retailer.

The Cyprus Consumer Association urges all consumers to assertively claim their rights and disallow any deprivation of these rights. If a retailer refuses to accept the defective product and redirects you to any other party, technician, importer, or manufacturer, you can contact the Cyprus Consumer Association at 22516112 or via email at [email protected].