Rules under which second hand dealers must sell goods that are of satisfactory quality, or are described as such, apply to second hand goods just as they does to new ones. But the level of protection you’ll receive will vary depending on who you are buying from.

When buying from a store or business, you have the same legal refund rights on second hand goods as you would on a new product. However, you must take into account the product’s age, price and condition. You are not entitled to a refund for problems that the store told you about or that you should have noticed when examining the product, such as chipped surfaces or faded paint, or torn book covers.

In the case of a second hand vehicle, in NSW (for example) there is a cooling-off period of two clear business days, including Saturdays, that applies to second hand vehicles. As the buyer, you may cancel the sales contract by giving written notice before the expiry of the two-day cooling off period, although this does not apply to new vehicles, auction sales or purchases by companies or dealers. In effect, you get a ‘refund’ by making sure you return the second hand car within this period.

If you are about to make a significant purchase from a second hand dealer, whether it be a large piece of second hand furniture like a bed, or a second hand TV, why not ask the staff about the refund policy first? That way you will know what your options are if your purchase turns out to be unsatisfactory.