From Trading Standards:
[quote]Faulty goods
When you buy goods from a trader, such as a shop, market stall, garage, etc., you enter into a contract that is controlled by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (amended by the Sale & Supply of Goods Act 1994). The law gives you certain statutory rights under this contract. These rights mean that goods should be:
Of a Satisfactory Quality, i.e. of a standard that a reasonable person would consider to be satisfactory - generally free from fault or defect, as well as being fit for their usual purpose, of a reasonable appearance and finish, safe and durable;
Fit for the purpose - as well as being fit for the purpose for which they are generally sold, goods should also be fit for any specific or particular purpose made known at the time of the agreement;
As described - goods should correspond with any description applied to them. This could be verbally, words or pictures on a sign, packaging or an advert.
If the goods are not of satisfactory quality, or not fit for their purpose, or[b] not as described[/b], you are entitled to reject the goods and claim a full refund - [b]providing this is done soon after the purchase was made.[/b]
Once you have "accepted" the goods i.e. kept them for a reasonable amount of time, you are no longer entitled to a refund, but are entitled to damages - the difference in value between the value of the faulty goods and the price paid. In practice this often amounts to having the goods repaired - although strictly there is no legal right to this - or to a replacement - but often a repair or a replacement is an acceptable solution.
You are not entitled to a refund if:
You have changed your mind about wanting the goods;
You were told about the fault before purchasing the item;
You examined the goods before purchasing and should have noticed the fault;
You have already accepted a credit note;
You are responsible for the damage.[/quote]
More details here: [url="http://www.walsall.gov.uk/index/shopping_rights.htm"]http://www.walsall.gov.uk/index/shopping_rights.htm[/url]