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Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017

Sale of goods - Performance of contract - Rules about delivery

171: Buyer not bound to return rejected goods

You could also call this:

“You don't have to send back things you don't want to keep”

If you are buying something, you do not have to keep goods that you have a right to refuse. When the goods are delivered to you, you can refuse to accept them. You do not need to send the goods back to the seller. You only need to tell the seller that you do not want to accept the goods. However, if you and the seller have agreed to something different, you should follow that agreement instead.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6844377.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Consumer protection Business > Fair trading
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170: Acceptance of goods, or

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172: Liability of buyer for neglecting or refusing to take delivery of goods, or

"What happens if you don't pick up something you bought when it's ready"

Part 3 Sale of goods
Performance of contract: Rules about delivery

171Buyer not bound to return rejected goods

  1. This section applies if—

  2. the buyer refuses to accept goods that have been delivered; and
    1. the buyer has a right to refuse to accept the goods.

      1. Unless otherwise agreed, the buyer is not bound to return the goods to the seller, and it is sufficient if the buyer indicates to the seller that the buyer refuses to accept the goods.

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