Letter to complain about misdescribed goods bought from a private seller
This advice applies to Wales. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland
Use this letter template to complain to a private seller about goods that don't match how they were described to you. It should help the seller understand your point of view and their legal obligation to sort out the problem.
You can use this template for anything you’ve bought from a private seller, for example a car you bought on an online auction site or furniture you bought through an advert listing. If you want to complain about something you bought from a business, you should use our template letter for goods bought from a company.
You can send the letter by post or copy the text into an email. If you’d prefer to talk to the trader on the phone or in person you could read it out to them.
Sam Hoolin
8 Park Avenue
Arlton
AL1 4CA
01632 960001
sam123@mail.com
Mo Smith
24 Station Road
Giltham
GT16 3LP
22 December 2024
Dear Mo Smith,
Complaint about misdescribed goods
I bought the following goods from you on 14 January 2022: Thread+Go sewing machine model 5400
I paid £300. I now find the goods were misdescribed. You described the item as:
The light works but new bulb is needed.
But in fact:
The light doesn't work even though I've replaced the bulb with a new one.
Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 goods you supply must match their description. As the goods don't match how you described them, I am asking you to compensate me for the difference in value between what I paid and what the goods were worth. I am requesting £50
In support of my claim, I have enclosed: My receipt for payment for the machine
Please respond within 14 days of receiving this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Sam Hoolin
Further help
Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone. You can also use an online form.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, contact Consumerline.
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