Buying goods when abroad
What do you do if you buy goods while travelling abroad, and you have problems with them when you return home? And how do you remedy the problem as a consumer if you're now back in Ireland?
Most countries will have their own system of consumer protection, but if your purchase was in an EU country you will be entitled to the same basic set of consumer rights under EU law.
If the goods you bought aren't fit for the purpose they were bought for or don't reach an acceptable standard, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.
You can also seek a refund if the seller didn't give you a true description of the product - for example, if they sold you some gold jewellery which turns out to be worth far less than the seller claimed.
On returning home
If you have returned home, it's going to be very unlikely that you will be able to return the goods in person. You should contact the European Consumer Centre (ECC) in Dublin, which will explain your rights and suggest alternative remedies.
For example, the ECC could act on your behalf in taking a case through an Alternative Dispute Resolution body in the overseas country - these bodies are similar to Ireland's Small Claims Court.