Martin Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, has revealed a memorable acronym to help shoppers secure refunds or replacements when products fail. In a special back-to-basics edition of The Martin Lewis Podcast for the BBC, he introduced the 'SAD FART' rules, which stand for Satisfactory quality, As Described, Fit for purpose, and lasting a Reasonable length of Time.
Legal Rights Are With the Retailer
Lewis stressed that consumers often mistakenly believe they must contact the manufacturer when a product develops a fault. He explained: "The most important rule to remember on your consumer rights is your contract is with the company that you pay. So you're asking me, do I take it back to the retailer or the manufacturer? You take it back to the retailer. That is where you have all of your legal rights." Under the Consumer Rights Act, shoppers have strong protections if purchases fail the SAD FART test.
What the Acronym Means
Every purchase must meet these criteria: satisfactory quality (free from defects and of acceptable standard), as described (matching any description given), fit for purpose (suitable for the intended use), and lasting a reasonable length of time (depending on the product's price and nature). Lewis noted: "When you buy an item, it must follow what I call the SAD FART rules. That stands for satisfactory quality, as described, fit for purpose and - I cheat it slightly there - last a reasonable length of time."
Refund Timeline and Options
Shoppers returning faulty goods within the first 30 days are in the strongest position. Lewis said: "If you take it back to the retailer within the first 30 days, then they must give you a full refund if it's faulty. After 30 days, then you're entitled to either a repair, or replacement, or a partial refund, depending on the situation." He advised consumers not to be deterred if retailers try to redirect them to manufacturers, calling such attempts "nonsense" and emphasising that statutory rights override warranties.
Reasonable Time Depends on Product
What constitutes a "reasonable length of time" varies. Lewis gave an example: "If you bought a £2,000 phone and you've used it in exactly the right way and not done anything to it, and it breaks after 18 months, I'd say that's unreasonable. So I would take it back to the retailer." Conversely, a cheap item failing after several months might be acceptable.
Podcast Covers Wider Money Questions
The advice was part of a special "I Don't Get Money" edition of his BBC podcast, designed to answer financial questions people are often embarrassed to ask. Alongside consumer rights, Martin explains pensions, the difference between saving and investing, energy units on bills, and how bonds work. He also addresses why Section 75 credit card protection does not extend to additional cardholders and why some motorists see insurance premiums rise after a no-fault accident. The programme aims to be a jargon-free guide to everyday money matters.
