Can I return a faulty product?
Yes — the legal guarantee is 2 years. Where goods do not conform to the contract, you can bring a complaint to the seller within the 2-year legal guarantee. The complaint must be made within 2 months of discovering the non-conformity, orally or in writing — in writing is advisable, so you have proof of the date. You can require the goods to be brought into conformity — repair or replacement, your choice — and where that is impossible, unsuccessful or disproportionate, a price reduction or a refund. Importantly, a commercial warranty from the maker or shop does not cancel or replace the legal one; its expiry does not affect your rights, and the seller cannot send you 'to the manufacturer'. For digital content supplied once, the period is 1 year.
📋 The rules
- Legal guarantee: 2 years for consumer goods
- Complain within 2 months of discovering the fault
- Right to repair or replacement; then price or refund
- A commercial warranty does not cancel the legal one
- Digital content (one-off supply): 1 year
🔓 Exceptions
- Defects you were expressly told about before buying
- Normal wear and damage caused by misuse
- A commercial warranty can give more rights, never fewer
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A seller who refuses a valid complaint breaches the Consumer Protection Act and can be sanctioned by the Consumer Protection Commission. The seller cannot send you "to the manufacturer" — liability under the legal guarantee is theirs. Keep the receipt or other proof of purchase and submit the complaint in writing.
📎 Official sources
- Ministry of Economy · Warranty and complaints →
- Your Europe · Consumer guarantees →
- European Consumer Centre Bulgaria →
❓ Frequently asked
How long is the legal guarantee?
Two years for consumer goods. It applies regardless of any commercial warranty the maker or shop adds on top, and it cannot be reduced by contract.
How long do I have to complain?
Two months from discovering the non-conformity, orally or in writing, to the seller or their representative. In writing is advisable, so you have proof of the date.
What can I ask for?
Repair or replacement first — your choice, unless it is disproportionate. If that is impossible or fails, you are entitled to a price reduction or a refund of what you paid.
Can the shop send me to the manufacturer?
No. Liability under the legal guarantee rests with the seller. They cannot pass the complaint to the manufacturer or a service centre — that is their internal arrangement, not your problem.
Does a commercial warranty replace the legal one?
No. A commercial warranty is additional, and its expiry does not affect your rights under the 2-year legal guarantee. It can give you more, never less.
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