Product or service, price, advertisement, contract and warranty.
New York consumer rights: refund-policy rules & complaints
New York law requires retail stores and online retailers to conspicuously disclose their refund policies. If a retailer violates the disclosure rule, qualifying buyers can have a cash-refund or credit remedy for up to 30 days from purchase, subject to the statutory conditions.
Last reviewed: 1 October 2026Ask JEZ AI about my situationVISUAL CONSUMER PATH
Purchase → problem → seller response → remedy.
Use this as a quick map. The detailed rules, deadlines and available remedies still depend on the selected jurisdiction and current official sources.
1What was promised?
2What went wrong?
3What did the business do?
4What route fits?
Defect, non-delivery, misleading information, billing or poor service.
Repair, replacement, refund, refusal or no response.
Consumer agency, ombudsman, tribunal or court depends on jurisdiction.
Facts Evidence Correct local route Check current deadline / procedure
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What to know
- New York General Business Law §218-a requires retail mercantile establishments and online retailers to conspicuously post or display their refund policy.
- If a retailer violates the refund-policy disclosure requirement, the statute provides a cash-refund or credit remedy for up to 30 days from purchase when the merchandise has not been used or damaged and the buyer can verify the purchase date.
- Refund-policy rules do not replace separate rights that may apply to defective goods, warranties, deceptive practices or special transaction types.
What to do next
- 1Save the receipt or order confirmation and a copy or screenshot of the refund policy shown at the time of purchase.
- 2If no refund policy was displayed, record where and how you bought the item and preserve screenshots or photographs where possible.
- 3Keep the item in substantially unused and undamaged condition if you are relying on the refund-policy disclosure rule.
ONE PROBLEM · THREE JOBS
Get Instant Complete — all 3 for one Matter Understand it. Prove it. Resolve it.
Use this state guide to understand the route, organise the documents and chronology in Proof, then keep the next communication or action visible in Resolve.
Show full legal detail, evidence & official sources
Must New York retailers post a refund policy?
Yes. General Business Law §218-a requires retail mercantile establishments and online retailers to conspicuously post or display their refund policy, including whether refunds are offered and important conditions such as time limits, store-credit-only terms or restocking fees.
What happens if the refund policy was not properly disclosed?
The statute provides that a retailer violating the disclosure requirement can be liable for up to 30 days from purchase for a cash refund or credit, at the buyer’s option, if the goods have not been used or damaged and the buyer can verify the purchase date.
Is there always a 30-day return right in New York?
No. The 30-day remedy is tied to violation of the refund-policy disclosure law and its conditions. A properly disclosed store policy can set its own lawful refund terms. Separate legal rights can apply to defective goods, warranties, deceptive practices or specific transaction types.
What evidence should you keep?
Keep the receipt or order confirmation, screenshots or photographs of the displayed refund policy, the advertisement or product listing, warranty terms, payment records and all messages with the retailer.
What can change the answer
The result can depend on the exact transaction or relationship, dates, written terms, notices already sent or received, the identity of the other party, the amount involved and whether a regulator, court or tribunal process has already started. Preserve the original documents rather than relying only on summaries or screenshots.
Evidence to keep together
Keep contracts, receipts, invoices, account statements, advertisements, photographs, messages, emails, letters, notices, payment records and a short chronology of what happened. If a formal document contains a response or hearing date, record that date separately and verify the procedure with the cited official authority.
CITED OFFICIAL AUTHORITIES
Start with New York authorities.
These links go to government, regulator, court or primary-law sources used to ground this guide. Check the source before acting because laws and procedures can change.