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HOT TOPICS
2016
MEMBERSHIP
DIRECTORY
151
FAILURE TO POST REFUND SIGN RESULTS IN FINES
The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs has been inspecting dealerships and issuing violations if no refund
signs are posted. New York State law requires retail establishments, including dealers, to conspicuously
display the dealership’s refund policies.
Dealers have several options regarding where to disclose the required information. Failure to properly display
your refund policy may result in having to provide customers a full refund (cash or credit/customer’s option) if
they request such refund within 30 days of the purchase.
Options for posting your Refund Policy:
•
on a sign attached to the item itself
•
on a sign attached to the cash register or point of sale
•
on a sign clearly visible to the buyer from the cash register; or
•
on a sign posted at each store entrance used by the public.
Your refund signmust disclose whether it is your policy to provide refunds and if so, under what circumstances
a refund will be given, including whether a refund will be provided:
•
on sale or as-is items
•
if the customer no longer has proof of purchase documentation
•
within a specific time period
•
as cash, credit or store credit; or
•
whether restocking fees will be imposed (if so, the dollar amount or percentage amount of such fee)
Refund policy signs must also include a statement advising customers that
they are entitled to a written copy of the dealership’s refund
policy upon request. Some villages and towns
may impose additional disclosure
requirements, but only if they
afford customers’ greater
protections than state law.
Dealers should include
refund policy signs on their
list of required compliance
postings in each dealership.