What to do if problems arise with mixed contracts
Consumers have a number of rights with mixed contracts, including their short-term to reject.
Some contracts may involve a combination of goods, services and/or digital content. For example, electronic equipment may contain digital content, or a garage may install parts when carrying out a service.
For mixed contracts, all relevant parts of the Consumer Rights Act will apply. For example, if a garage is installing parts when carrying out a service, the rights and remedies for goods will apply to the parts (goods), while rights and remedies for services will apply to labour the garage performs.
The rules differ slightly for goods that are sold with digital content. If there is a problem with the digital content sold with goods, in most circumstances the consumer has two options:
- use their rights for digital content, e.g. request a repair or replacement
- use their short term right to reject (within the first 30 days) and claim a full refund for the goods and digital content
If you have a contract for the supply and installation of goods, and there is a problem with the installation, the customer:
- can request a repair or replacement of the goods and/or reinstallation, whichever is necessary
- does not have a short term right to reject the goods if the problem is only with the installation
- may seek a price reduction or use their final right to reject if repair, replacement, reinstallation does not resolve the issue