Graphic: Black Friday is popular in France but what if goods are faulty?
We look at your consumer rights as poll shows big uptake for weekend deals on offer
Black Friday is increasingly popular in France
sylv1rob1/Shutterstock
People in France are gearing up for Black Friday (November 29) and Cyber Monday (December 2) to look for pre-Christmas bargains.
The holiday that originated in America – being held on the Friday after Thanksgiving – is now mainstream in stores across Europe, including in France.
Over half of people in France that took part in a poll said they plan to buy something over the weekend*, spending an average of €233.
Read more: When does Black Friday start in France and which shops participate?
This number rises significantly with younger people, with 78% of people polled between the ages of 18 - 34 looking to make a purchase.
The majority of these sales – over 60% – will be made online.
Despite this, budgets will be down by around 10% compared to last year, and only 13% of people think the deals on Black Friday are always good value for money.
*Information comes from an online poll by Ipsos conducted of 1,000 people for the comparison site leDénicheur.
The graphic below shows how shoppers are expected to spend:
Read more: How to benefit from ‘Craft Friday’, France’s Black Friday for artisan workers
What to do if you have a problem with a purchased product?
If you have an issue with a product you purchased on Black Friday, it should be possible to receive an exchange or refund.
Despite receipts no longer being automatically given in all shops, purchases for expensive items should automatically come with one (or if you purchased the item online, you should have a digital receipt).
Keeping this receipt is important for returning the product.
Read more: In which cases will shoppers still be given paper receipts in France?
In most cases, refunds, returns, and exchanges should be straight forward.
Stores have 30 days to respond to a replacement request.
Products are covered by a standard two-year garantie légale de conformité warranty for defects already present at the time of purchases.
A two-year hidden defects (vices cachés) warranty also applies, which is particularly useful for tech products such as laptops and phones, where hardware issues may be present.
Taking photos of the product to clearly show the issues can help result in a quicker response.
It is good to note that the fees for returning an item is covered by the legal warranty, and the place of purchase cannot request you pay them.
If you have any issues, you can contact France’s customer service watchdog SignalConso to make an official complaint.
Read more: How does France’s consumer complaint service SignalConso work?
