Consumer rights
Can a shop say “no refunds” and ignore the Consumer Guarantees Act?
Businesses generally cannot contract out of their Consumer Guarantees Act duties for personal/household purchases. A “no refunds” sign does not wipe your rights.
For everyday household buying, traders cannot usually write away their Consumer Guarantees Act responsibilities — even with a sign, receipt note, or website term that says “no refunds or exchanges.” If a guarantee has not been met, you may still have remedies under the Act.
Trying to contract out of the CGA for consumer purchases can also raise issues under the Fair Trading Act. Official guidance from Consumer Protection and the Commerce Commission is the place to check the latest position.
There are limited situations where contracting out can be discussed for business-use purchases. If you are buying for a business, or you are unsure whether you are a “consumer” for that purchase, follow the official Consumer Protection pages rather than guess.
Calm next moves
- Keep a copy of the “no refunds” notice or screenshot — it can help later.
- Still contact the seller first with a clear request.
- Commerce Commission resources cover misleading trading practices.
Official resources
Always confirm details on the official site — laws and processes can change.
Educational signposting only from the Resilience Programme. Not legal, financial, or medical advice. Updated 2026-07-10.