Consumer Laws

Has anyone gone down the legal road to try and get money back or compensation for items that have been purchased that are not fit for purpose?
Reason I ask is that on Tuesday the wife returned 2 items that she had purchased that are useless. When you ask for a replacement or your money back you get the feeling that the sales people are doing all they can to stop themselves bursting out laughing.
The 7 day rule they use here is so biased towards the retailer it's unbelievable.

Galee
I don't think they would have an office of fair trading in Thailand. Your post reminds me of the time I purchased a foot pump from Macro. I took it home took it out of the box and proceeded to inflate my bicycle wheel. It just fell apart. The same day I took it back and at first they wouldn't refund my money. The reason given was that I USED it Eventually after standing my ground and being passed from one member of staff to another they finally gave me my money back. Now I have found Tesco's to be quite different. They appear to refund or change without question. They obviously value their reputation. It does seem a hit and miss over here

Things we've returned either for refund or for other purchase:
cheap toaster at Lotus, short circuited first time we used it. Refunded without question.

Water heater from Makro. Turned out to be a multi-outlet unit, when I wanted a single outlet unit. It was partially installed, then removed and reboxed. Makro accepted it and refunded my money.

A 150 baht handsprayer from Makro. Didn't spray worth a damn. I exchanged it for another name.

Like lepidoptra, you might have to stand your ground......no need to yell or shout, just let them know you're not happy. If you don't get satisfaction, ask to speak to a supervisor.

For the same reason most Thais won't question authority, ask directions, etc., they're not inclined to try to get a refund/exchange..........potentially too confrontational for a Thai. Although I have seen more Thais bringing items back to places like Lotus for exchange/refund.

As for trying to get an exchange/refund at the old shops along Phosri/Srisuk, I'd say you're probably out of luck.

Good luck trying to get money back. Thailand's Chinese business ethics are in force.
I bought a 20" table fan from Lotus and found out it was the wrong color when I got home. The box was mismarked.
I took it back within minutes (10-15) and it wasn't even completely removed from the box. All the cord ties, plastic film, cardboard stays still in place.

It took more than two hours, a dozen phone calls, lots of furrowed brows and air-sucking through teeth for someone to authorize me to swap the pink one for a gray one. Amazing.

Money back ,whats that?Your lucky if they will change it for another item.I believe we've all been spoiled.Now ya have to go with the flo.Just bite the bullet and keep on truckin.

I believe that there are laws in Thailand that cover many, if not most things, but more often that not the Thais don't know about them, hence they don't get applied/enforced or called upon.

Thank you Jack. I'll get the wife to read it and then leave it up to her if she wants to pursue things.