Can I return the counteusaeit alcohol to the store

Even the high price of alcohol is not a guarantee of its quality. Unfortunately, even in large stores, it is possible to buy fake. Is it really possible to return the counterfeit goods to the seller and get your money back?? To prove that you were sold a fake, it is difficult, but it is possible. However, an appraisal will definitely be needed.

THE LAW ON RETURNING ALCOHOL TO THE STORE

First of all, you need to understand if alcohol can be returned in principle. Alcohol as a “food” product can only be returned to the retailer if there are any defects in it or the sales process. For example:

• Alcohol has expired.

• There is no excise stamp on the bottle.

• The customer was not given all the information about the product.

• A counterfeit bottle has been purchased.

In the third and fourth cases, evidence will be required for a successful return of alcoholic beverages.

WHEN ALCOHOL CANNOT BE RETURNED

Return alcohol just because he did not like it or the buyer has changed his mind to consume it, you can not. If you have purchased a product with excise stamps and have received full information about it, the expiration date is in order, and there is no direct indication or suspicion that it is counterfeit, you cannot return it to the store and get your money back. In this case, the only thing left is to pass on the unattractive bottle or use it in culinary experiments.

If you have bought alcohol and suspect that it turned out to be a surrogate, it is possible to try to return the money. But you must be prepared for the fact that they won’t believe your word and won’t just process the return of alcohol. Which means that additional proof that the alcohol is not original would be required. This can be done through laboratory testing. As a rule, the buyer conducts it himself if the store refuses to admit the probability that the alcohol is counterfeit . But you can also apply to Rospotrebnadzor with a request to conduct an inspection and examine the alcohol that gave rise to doubts.

WHAT SHOULD BE ALERT?

There are certain signs that will tell you that you were sold a cheap fake or just low-quality alcohol:

• Absence of an excise stamp.

• Atypical for this type of alcohol organoleptic properties: a strange color, the presence of suspended matter, a sharp uncharacteristic smell, unpleasant and unfamiliar taste.

• Expiration dates customers often do not check the expiration dates of non-perishable foods in stores, but if something is suspicious, it is worth checking .

• Signs of poisoning after drinking alcohol or other alarming body reactions for example, too long or a heavy hangover when drinking in moderation .

If you notice any of these signs, it’s worth contacting your retailer to find out what’s causing it. You may have been sold fake alcohol.

DOES THE CHECK REQUIRED?

It is advisable to present the receipt to prove that you bought the alcohol in this particular store. But if it is not available, you can gather evidence from witnesses, surveillance footage, restore the receipt using the cash register tape. Read more in our article. REFERENCE

CLAIM FOR A REFUND

To return alcohol, you need to provide the following:

• The purchase itself it is not a big deal that the bottle has been opened, after all somehow you should have realized that the alcohol does not correspond to the declared quality .

• Proof that you purchased the bottle in a particular store. Most often a receipt. But if there is no receipt it cannot be a reason for refusal.

• The claim in two copies, asking for your money back. One copy will remain with you, it must be signed, dated and stamped if any , which will be proof of acceptance of the claim.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A RETURN??

It is better to contact the store within a reasonable time usually within 14 days of purchase . But if you do it later, and your claim is poor quality alcohol or suspected counterfeit, you should not be denied. However, in any case the seller can refuse to do the examination, and then you will have to independently prove that you bought a fake.

THE STORE REFUSES TO TAKE IT BACK: WHAT TO DO?

In what cases an examination is carried out?

If the store refuses to accept the alcohol, saying that it is of high quality, you can independently conduct an examination in a certified laboratory, such can be found on the Internet and with the results go to the store again.

In parallel with this, or as a first step, you can also apply to Rospotrebnadzor with a request to conduct an inspection and sort out whether the disputed alcohol is counterfeit.

Can you go to court??

If all of the above measures have not succeeded, it makes sense to take legal action. To keep your chances of success high, make sure you have all the proof you need. You will definitely need the result of the expertise. As well as all the documents and evidence you can gather: receipts, packaging of the goods, a bottle of counterfeit, eyewitness accounts, an official refusal of the store to inspect and accept the goods back, and so on. In this case, you will be able to prove your case and get your money back.