ITEMS purchased second-hand in Spain are subject to a two-year guarantee, unless buyer and seller agree to a lesser period, according to a government consumer department.
The buyer and seller are allowed to agree either for the latter to pay for repairs if the product breaks down within the first two years, or to substantially reduce the purchase price.
This does not apply where private individuals sell goods to each other, but in these cases, the buyer has up to six months to claim for repairs, refund or a price reduction through the courts if the item is not satisfactory.
Sales of electrical appliances, furniture or clothes must come with a receipt or invoice giving the shop's details and a written guarantee if requested - if not requested, the guarantee remains valid anyway - and all products, second hand or new, must be properly labelled and show the price on them.
Buyers have the right to a 14-day cooling-off period with second-hand goods bought online from a company, meaning they can return the product and claim a full refund for any reason whatsoever, but purchasers should clarify before buying who should pay return postage and under what circumstances.
Secure payment methods, such as PayPal which is instant and does not let the seller see the buyer's credit card or bank details are strongly recommended.
Sellers on market stalls, including rastros or flea markets, are obliged to comply with the same rules as shops, protecting consumers - this includes making complaint forms available, properly labelling and pricing goods, and guaranteeing them for a year.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com