Except for so-called doorstep selling, there are no legal regulations in Switzerland that allow you to request the exchange of a product or a refund of the purchase price just because the product does not or no longer suit you. However, some sellers give you the option to return or exchange a product within a certain period of time.

Returns and refunds when buying in store

If you are shopping in a store, be sure to check the terms and conditions of sale before you buy, as each store can set its own rules. In particular, you can find the relevant information by consulting the general terms and conditions or by inquiring with the sales staff. For example, you can find out whether and within what period of time you can return a T-shirt that doesn’t fit you.

If the store accepts the return of products, then inquire about the refund process. Shops often offer you a voucher for the value of the returned goods. If the conditions of sale do not provide for a refund of the purchase price, you will have to be content with this voucher.

Returns and refunds when buying online

For online purchases, Swiss law does not provide for a right of withdrawal, unlike European Union law. However, the online retailer can grant such a right of withdrawal in its general terms and conditions. It is important to know that an Internet address ending in .ch can also be purchased by a company that is not based in Switzerland. If you visit a page with the .ch ending, it does not necessarily mean that you are dealing with a company based in Switzerland.