Overview
- Shops are not legally required to take back intact items bought on premises, so exchanges or refunds rely on the retailer’s policy, which may offer seasonal extensions or vouchers at their discretion.
- Distance purchases can be canceled within 14 days from delivery without stating a reason, with days counted calendar‑style and statutory exclusions applying to custom goods, perishables, opened hygiene or media items, and dated event tickets.
- If a product is defective, consumers have statutory warranty rights, and for faults appearing within twelve months the seller must prove the item was sound at handover before denying a claim.
- Proof of purchase is needed to assert rights, and a receipt, order confirmation, or account statement suffices, with remedies ranging from repair or replacement to price reduction or a refund if fixes fail.
- Consumers can use the Verbraucherzentrale Bayern’s Umtausch‑Check to identify applicable rights, generate template letters, and find counseling, while private sellers such as many Christmas‑market stalls need not accept returns for mere dissatisfaction.