§ 42. Can you return the item after you have received it?
If you buy a fault-free item in a physical shop, you have no automatic statutory right to return it. You can only return it if the shop offers open purchase (åpent kjøp), you bought online (the Cancellation Act (angrerettloven)), or the item is broken (cancellation of the purchase (heving)).
Machine-translated from Norwegian. The Norwegian text is the one that applies. Read the original in Norwegian.Norsk English العربية Polski Українська
The text of the law (unofficial translation)
After the item has been delivered, the consumer (forbruker) is not released from paying the purchase price (kjøpesum) even if the item is returned to the seller (selger).
The obligation to pay nevertheless lapses a. upon cancellation of the purchase b. if the conditions for the right of withdrawal (angrerett) under the Cancellation Act are met, or c. if a right to return the item follows from the agreement, for example because the item has been bought on approval (home loan, deposit).
The consumer may exchange the item if a right to exchange (bytterett) must be considered agreed or follows from general rules of law.
What does this mean?
It is a widespread myth that we have a 14-day right of withdrawal on everything. That is wrong. The right of withdrawal applies only to online shopping, telephone purchases and doorstep sales — in other words, when you buy something without seeing it.
In a physical shop, you are bound. But there are three lifelines: 1) The item has a defect (mangel) (cancellation of the purchase). 2) You bought online (the Cancellation Act). 3) The shop voluntarily offers open purchase.
Example
Marius buys a blender in a kitchen shop. The next day he sees that the colour does not suit his kitchen. The shop has a sign saying “No returns on kitchen appliances”. Marius has no right to return it — the blender is not broken, it was not bought online, and the shop does not offer open purchase.
Common mistakes
- Shouting at shop staff for breaking the “14-day rule” — it only applies to online shopping
- Breaking the plastic on a product you think has open purchase — many shops require unopened packaging
What should you do?
Always ask at the till BEFORE you pay in a physical shop: “Do you offer open purchase, and for how long?” Ask them to write it on the receipt.