Hackney Chronicle: Martin Lewis has revealed his ‘SAD FART’ trick to help shoppers understand their rights and get refunds or repairs on faulty goods.
Money expert Martin Lewis has revealed a blunt but memorable trick to help shoppers avoid losing cash when things go wrong with purchases. Speaking at the Ideal Home Show in London, he shared his now-famous “SAD FART” reminder to explain your legal rights when buying products. The unusual phrase is designed to help consumers remember exactly what they are entitled to under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and when they can demand a repair, replacement or refund. What ‘SAD FART’ actually means Here’s what each letter stands for and why it matters: S A D S – Satisfactory quality The item should be of a reasonable standard, not faulty or damaged, and should work as expected. A – As described It must match how it was advertised, whether that’s online, in-store, or on the packaging. D – Durable (often included within “satisfactory quality”) The product should last a reasonable amount of time without breaking. F A R T F – Fit for purpose The item should do what it’s supposed to do. If you buy something for a specific use, it must be able to perform that function. A – As described Lewis reinforces this point as one of the most common issues in disputes. R – Reasonable length of time There’s no fixed expiry on your rights. Products should last a reasonable time based on what they are and how they’re used. T – Time Your rights don’t just end after a 12-month warranty. You may still be covered well beyond that. Why this matters right now Highlighting a common mistake, Lewis warned shoppers not to rely on warranties alone, especially for expensive tech like smartphones. He was speaking at the Ideal Home Show at Olympia, London, which runs from April 10–19. He said: “If you bought a high-tech smartphone brand new 18 months ago and you've used it the normal way, there is no fixed amount of time in terms of how long you’ve got to be protected by law and [the retailer] has to repair or replace it for free.” He stressed that many people wrongly believe their rights end after 12 months. “Warranty is simply an optional thing given to you by the manufacturer that says they will look after it for a year,” he added. “I'm talking about your legal rights under the Consumer Rights Act.” Recommended reading: Thousands of pensioners to lose up to £300 as payments clawed back by HMRC What Martin Lewis says companies don’t want you to know – and how to beat it HMRC tax shake-up warning as many admit they do not understand new rules The key consumer rule most people get wrong Lewis made clear that your rights are always with the retailer, not the manufacturer. “When you buy something, your rights are always with the retailer. They are always with the company that sold it to you,” he said. That means if your phone, appliance or gadget breaks earlier than expected, you may still be able to claim a repair or replacement, even well beyond the warranty period,