Rospotrebnadzor reminded about the rules of return and warranty for seasonal shoes

The warranty period for seasonal shoes can be calculated from the beginning of the season, and not from the moment of purchase of the product. Rospotrebnadzor reminded about this on September 24 in an interview with "Izvestia", telling about the rights of buyers when defects are found.

Shoes belong to the category of goods for which the warranty period can be calculated from the beginning of the season. This is especially important when buying things in advance, such as winter shoes at the end of summer or summer shoes during the cold season.

"In the Moscow region, the seasonal deadlines for calculating the guarantee are set as follows: the spring season begins on March 1, the summer season begins on May 1, the autumn season begins on September 1, and the winter season begins on November 1," the department said.

At the same time, the climatic features of a particular region are taken into account when determining the start of the season. Therefore, buyers should focus not only on the date of purchase of shoes, but also on the deadlines set for their area.

If a defect is found in the shoe during the warranty period, the consumer can contact the seller with the requirements stipulated by the law on consumer protection. Depending on the situation, the buyer has the right to demand free elimination of defects, reduction of the cost of goods, replacement of shoes or refund of funds.

Even after the end of the warranty period, the consumer can make claims if he can prove that the defect occurred for reasons that existed before the transfer of the goods. Such claims may be made within two years from the date of transfer of the goods, unless a longer period is provided for by law or contract.

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If the seller does not agree with the buyer's requirements and believes that the defect is the fault of the consumer, he is obliged to conduct an expert examination of the goods at his own expense. The buyer has the right to be present at the meeting and, if necessary, to challenge the results.

Rospotrebnadzor also recalled that the absence of the original packaging is not a reason for refusing to consider claims for defects in the product. If the shoes of proper quality do not fit the buyer in size, shape, color or other characteristics, they can be exchanged within 14 days, without taking into account the day of purchase.

"For this, the presentation, consumer properties, factory labels and confirmation of purchase from a specific seller must be preserved. If there is no suitable product for exchange, the buyer can refuse to purchase and demand a refund," the agency said.

When contacting the seller, it is recommended to make a written claim in two copies. One document is handed over to the seller, and on the second one it is necessary to receive a note of acceptance with the date and signature of the responsible employee. If the seller refuses to accept the claim, it can be sent by mail in a way that will confirm the fact and date of dispatch and receipt.

Rospotrebnadzor noted that the seller's refusal to voluntarily comply with legal requirements does not deprive the consumer of the right to go to court. If the court satisfies the buyer's demands, the seller may also be fined for refusing to voluntarily comply with the consumer's demands.

Orthopedic traumatologist, head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Russian Ministry of Health, Candidate of Medical Sciences Alexander Sautenko told on September 1 how to choose shoes for schoolchildren. The specialist advises trying on shoes in the afternoon and always standing up. The child should walk, sit down and stand on his toes to check if the new pair is not pressing. It is impossible to focus only on the size, since the parameters differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. In addition, during the year, parents should keep an eye on whether the shoes have become too small or too worn out.