I bought an Electrolux fan about 40 days ago and it started making a weird noise last week. I have the receipt with me. Do I still have the right to return it or file a complaint with the store? What's the deadline for that again?
You have every right to complain, and the strange noise that started a week ago is exactly the kind of thing warranty covers. The thing is, there's a difference between what the shop wants you to believe and what the law actually says. The legal warranty in Portugal is two years from purchase, not 30 days - that's just the timeframe in which the shop is obligated to repair or replace without asking too many questions. After that 30-day window, the burden shifts a bit to your side, but you still have the right to complain within two years if you can prove the defect existed at the time of purchase.
In your case at 40 days, you're just past that more comfortable margin, but far from being without protection. The fan only started making noise a week ago, which suggests the defect came straight from the factory - it just took a while to show up. Take your receipt and the fan to the shop, explain the situation and ask for a repair or replacement. If they tell you the 30 days have passed and they can't do anything, push back: consumer protection law says you have two years. A lot of shops back down when they see you know your rights, especially with a product like a fan that's clearly defective.
Yes, you do have the right! The legal timeframe to file a complaint is way longer than you're thinking. Defective products have a 30-day warranty for exchange or return at no cost, but if the defect shows up after that, you can still complain for up to 90 days from the purchase. After those 90 days, it gets trickier, but since your fan is within that period, you're good.
What you need to do is go back to the store with your receipt and the product. Tell them it's making a strange noise and you want to file a complaint. Most stores handle this quickly - either they'll swap it for a new one or refund your money. If the store drags its feet or says you can't complain because it's past the 30 days, you've got the legal backing of the 90-day period, which is the manufacturer's warranty itself. It's worth mentioning that you have your receipt there, which is essential to prove the purchase.
Portuguese law gives you 2 years of legal warranty from the date of purchase, regardless of what the invoice says. Those 30 days you see around is just store marketing, not law. So yes, at 40 days you're still completely within the timeframe to make a claim.
What works well is sending an email to the store (or to Electrolux directly) with a photo or video of the noise - like record it on your phone while the fan is running. That gets logged with a timestamp, much stronger than talking to a shop assistant. Mention that you bought it 40 days ago and the defect appeared naturally during normal use. Ask for repair or replacement, your choice. Most stores respond within 48 hours when they see documentation.
If the store gives you trouble, contact the Consumer Dispute Arbitration Centre or the IAAC - it's all online and free. But honestly, with an invoice and written record, it rarely gets there. They'd rather sort it out quickly than deal with formal complaints.
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