Chasing the Fionist Dream

We talk a lot about employee rights in this blog. Thankfully there are plenty of laws here in Israel to protect us when things get rough at the workplace. But did you know that Israeli law protects you as a consumer as well? We’re sure you’ve purchased faulty items or been overcharged at some point in the past. We all have. As we always say, knowledge is power. We hope that after reading this post, you’ll have smoother consumer sailing ahead. Like our other rights posts, we’ve linked sources for each point, so you can gain further knowledge and stand up for what you deserve.

Where the list of consumer rights is long and can’t be summarized in one post, here are some finer points that we thought were worth noting.

1. Warranty on new items. The warranty on new products starts from the day you receive them, not from the day of purchase. If the product requires installation, such as a dishwasher or washing machine, the warranty begins from the day of installation. Keep in mind that this installation often needs to be done by the company itself. Installing it yourself could void the warranty. (Consumer Protection And Fair Trade Authority)
   
   
2. Returning an item. You are permitted to return an item and receive a refund under the following conditions: (Kol Zchut)
   • It cost at least 50 shekels
   • The item is in brand new condition in its original packaging. It can be open, but you can’t have plugged it in or hooked it up to the gas or water lines.
   • You return it to the vendor within 14 days of purchase.
   • Sadly, there are some exceptions to this rule, including undergarments, food and medicines, furniture that has already been assembled at your house, and some other things. (Kol Zchut)
   • Sometimes the vendor has the right to charge you a cancellation fee for the trouble of refunding you. We’ll discuss this in the next section.
     
     
3. Cancelation fees. Sometimes a vendor may charge you a cancelation fee when you return a product or cancel a service. This is generally 5% of the purchase price or 100 shekels, whichever is lower. (Kol Zchut)
   • You cannot be charged a cancellation fee if there is a defect in the item, it is not as described, is not delivered on time, or there is any other breach of contract by the vendor.
   • You can be charged a cancellation fee if you decide to cancel a service or return an item for any other reason.
     
     
4. Stop calling me. As of January 1st, 2023, you can join Israel’s Do Not Call list in order to avoid receiving unsolicited sales calls. You can learn more and register for this service here. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on who you are), this list does not block charities from calling you to solicit donations.
   
   
5. Supermarkets and pharmacies.
   • As of November 2023, all items in supermarkets and pharmacies must have a visible price marking. This ensures transparency and allows customers to easily identify the prices of the products they wish to purchase. The price tag must also list the price per 100 grams or milliliters, to make it easier for you to price compare. (Israel Consumers Council)
   • As of January 2024, supermarkets will be required to list the country of origin of all fruits and vegetables. For those of us trying our best to support Israeli agriculture, this is helpful. (Government press release)
   • If the scanner at the checkout shows a price higher than the price on the price tag for a particular item, the store must honor the lower price. (Make sure that the barcode on the sign matches the one on the package.) (Israel Consumers Council)
     
     
     
6. Technicians and deliveries. If you are waiting for a delivery or a technician to come and they run two or more hours late, you are entitled to a compensation. (Kol Zchut)
   
   
   
7. Zapped appliances. Did one of your electrical appliances get damaged in an electrical surge or power out? You may be eligible for compensation from the electric company. (Kol Zchut)
   

As consumers, it is crucial to be aware of our rights and protections. While not all stores are eager to provide full refunds, they must all abide by the law – which is often in your favor. We hope that this post leaves you feeling empowered and optimistic.

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