Who is responsible for courier costs

[janplank]

I hope someone could shed some light on the issue I have at hand. I bought 2 items from an online store (which is also situated in Randburg). I paid for it to be delivered. After a week one of the items started to malfunction and I wanted to return it. The store said I should bring it in so that they can do an evaluation of the problem.
I am very far from the shop and cannot just simply return it. I have to fork out more money for the courier to return the faulty product back to the shop.
Do the supplier have an obligation to pay for courier fees to collect the faulty unit or is it my problem to get the faulty unit back to the supplier?? Secondly, who is going to pay for courier costs once the repaired/replaced unit is ready for collection? I am just thinking of a scenario whereby Takealot collected a faulty unit from me and delivered an exchange unit in one go - no problem.
Do I have any options or should I fork out the money for delivery costs??

 

[BlindMelonChitlin]

It's likely a carry in warranty where you pay for return

 

[PsyWulf]

There is not set standard for this,each place/provider will have their own process

So the short answer is - no they have no obligation legally to do jack except assist you with the warranty when it reaches them

 

[skeptic_SA]

Section 56 (read in conjunction with section 55) of the CPA states:

All goods sold to a consumer are sold with an implied warranty of quality, that cannot be contracted out of or revoked. The warranty gives the consumer the right to receive goods that:

Are reasonably suitable for the purpose that they are intended to be used for,
Are of good quality, free of defects and in good working order, and
Will be durable and usable for a reasonable period of time.
If goods are found not to comply with these requirements then;

Up to 6 months after receiving the goods;
The consumer can return the goods, or
Get the goods replaced, or
Get the goods repaired.
The consumer can do any of these things without penalty; and at the suppliers cost.

Not sure if this helps. But it looks like the onus and costs associated are borne by the consumer.

 

[Batista]

You will have to fork out for shipping it back - Did you ask them if they will send it down for free once its fixed as a 'sorry' for inconvenience?

 

[WaxLyrical]

Similar to BoB. You definitely pay to have the product returned.

Its a form of motivation to ensure you didn't deliberately break it.

 

[BlindMelonChitlin]

The only time this would be an exception is where you've paid for that service up front in the form of an on-site warranty.

 

[akescpt]

you should have check terms before purchasing. differs for every store.

 

[janplank]

Thanx for all the quick replies! I just wanted to get my facts straight. It seems that the supplier is not obligated to fork out those fees. No time to waste on arguing with them on that matter but might ask for free return of the repaired unit. They can only say "No".

 

[maumau]

Where I work their policy is customer pays one way, company pays the other.