Consumer Right - Plastic Carrier Bags

order

With the government stepping in to charge for plastic bags in supermarkets I ask, what are our statutory consumer rights governing the sale of plastic carrier bags? Are they the same as anything else purchased? and if so, what can I expect from my newly purchased plastic carrier bag???

Satisfactory quality - Will not break, rip, tare, stretch, deform, loose shape, before the shopping has been successfully unloaded in my kitchen / pantry / larder.
As Described - plastic bag; a plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable
Fit for Purpose - The purpose of carrying consumer goods; 5 lemonade bottles?? large container of washing powder?? a large melon??6 bottles of wine?? without breaking??
A last Reasonable length of Time - what's reasonable... A 10 min car journey from checkout to home or walking 10 miles with with an over stuffed bag?

Can I return my plastic carrier bag under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, If I feel it has not complied with legislation for refund?
I would imagine it falls somewhere within consumable items/disposable items and is not covered by sale of goods or sadfarts.
Any clarification welcome as I have about 2000 carrier bags awaiting recycling

scheming_gypsy

What if we get online shopping delivered? can we return them for a full refund under the distance selling regulations?

earthstorm

I think once this comes into effect next year their will have to be a max. weight limited printed on the bags.

Fit for Purpose - The purpose of carrying consumer goods; 5 lemonade bottles?? large container of washing powder?? a large melon??6 bottles of wine?? without breaking??

i dont think placing that amount of items in a plastic carrier bag will work as you have overloaded the bag.

earthstorm

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

What if we get online shopping delivered? can we return them for a full refund under the distance selling regulations?

yes as long as they are not perishable goods which are exempt from DSR

OlliesDad

I would say that SoGA will apply, however if you are overloading the bag it would be a case of misuse and therefore will not be covered.

If a bag rips when only containing a few items I doubt the supermarkets will refuse a replacement.

OlliesDad

earthstorm wrote: »

yes as long as they are not perishable goods which are exempt from DSR

I think they were referring to the bag.. which is not perishable.

InsideInsurance

The act wont be retrospective and so your existing stock is outside the scope.

If you think your life is worth less than 5p for the time it will take you to argue your refund there probably is no reason why it wouldnt be covered by the SOGA though of cause remember it is up to the retailer to decide if to replace, repair or refund

earthstorm

InsideInsurance wrote: »

remember it is up to the retailer to decide if to replace, repair or refund

yes so will it be cheaper to replace/refund the 5p or give all staff a tube of superglue, so if a bag splits they can do an immediate repair.
but their again who would pay 5p for a supermarket carrier bag if they remain as they are now

InsideInsurance

Or just give you another bag, doesnt help too much if the OP already has 2,000 at home as they suggest

comeandgo

Its this money going to charity bit - is it just the profits that go to charity, or all of the 5p and who is going to decide which charity and who in fact audits that the money has gone- are we in fact buying the bags or just being "fined" for using them for not having brought our own?
I agree its not worth getting het up about - just bring your own.

OlliesDad

earthstorm wrote: »

but their again who would pay 5p for a supermarket carrier bag if they remain as they are now

I suppose it would be people who do it for convenience. I would buy a carrier bag if I pop into a shop unplanned (if i couldn't carry the items).. otherwise I will just use a reuseable one.