The real redress, in order

General information, not legal advice on your case. Every remedy has a time limit, often set by national rules: act early, and check the limit that applies to your case before you wait.

1. The seller, in writing, naming the legal guarantee

   As soon as it fails

   Purchase date, description of the defect, and the exact name of what you invoke: the legal guarantee of conformity, two years from delivery. Ask for repair or replacement, at your choice, and keep every reply.

   Guarantees and returns (Your Europe, European Union)

2. The European Consumer Centre in your country

   After the seller's refusal

   If the seller is established in another EU country and refuses or does not reply, the official guarantees page points to the European Consumer Centre in your country for help getting a repair or a refund.

   European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net)

3. Consumer dispute resolution

   In parallel

   The official page of the Union lists the consumer dispute resolution routes, including out-of-court bodies, country by country.

   Consumer dispute resolution (Your Europe, European Union)

4. The European Small Claims Procedure

   Last

   A written procedure provided by Union law for cross-border claims. The Regulation establishing it states in black and white that representation by a lawyer or another legal professional is not mandatory.

   Small claims (e-Justice portal, European Union)

Longer national guarantee periods, limitation periods and the rules of procedure before a national court are not covered here: this site presents only the European baseline common to the twenty-seven. A Directive sets a minimum: your national law may provide better, never less.