Understanding your consumer rights on UK Junction
UK Junction is a platform that helps buyers and sellers find each other. We are not a party to any sale between users, we do not own, inspect, or take title to items listed on the platform, and we do not charge any commission or fee on transactions between users. Because of this, your legal rights if something goes wrong with a purchase depend on who you bought from, not on UK Junction.
Buying from a business seller
You're protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015: goods must be as described, of satisfactory quality, and fit for purpose. If something's wrong, you may be entitled to a repair, replacement, price reduction, or refund depending on how long you've had the item. If you bought without meeting the seller first, you may also have a 14-day cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, subject to the exceptions in those regulations.
Buying from a private individual
Most sales on UK Junction are between private individuals. Private sales are not covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in the same way. A private seller's legal obligation is narrower: the item must match its description and the seller must have the legal right to sell it, but isn't required to guarantee quality or fitness for purpose the way a business must. The 14-day cancellation right does not apply to private sales. This is standard across all UK classifieds and marketplace platforms, not something specific to UK Junction.
How to tell which applies
Check the listing and any messages with the seller. If they describe themselves as a business, shop, or trader, or if the scale and pattern of their selling suggests a business, business protections are more likely to apply. If you're unsure, ask the seller directly before buying, and keep the answer in your UK Junction messages as a record.
What UK Junction itself is responsible for
UK Junction provides the platform connecting buyers and sellers, but is not a party to the sale itself, except for UK Junction's own paid plans and features, which are covered by our Refund Policy. This means UK Junction doesn't guarantee the outcome of transactions between users, but we do enforce our policies against fraudulent or misleading listings.
If something goes wrong
- Contact the seller first. Most issues are resolved directly, explain the problem and what you'd like: repair, replacement, or refund.
- Keep your evidence. Screenshots of the listing, your messages, and proof of payment all help if you need to take things further.
- If the seller doesn't resolve it and they're a business, you can pursue your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 directly with them, Citizens Advice has free guidance on how to do this.
- If you believe the seller has broken UK Junction's rules, a misleading listing, fraud, or refusal to engage, see How to report a listing or user. This is separate from your legal rights against the seller and doesn't replace them.