Massachusetts law about shopping and returns

Laws, regulations, cases, and web sources on the law of shopping and returns.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question, please contact our law librarians for assistance.

Best bet

A Massachusetts consumer guide to shopping rights, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. 
Explains laws that protect consumers so you can make informed decisions about your purchases. 

Laws and regulations

Advertising

• 940 CMR 3.02  False advertising
• 940 CMR 3.05  Misleading advertising
• 940 CMR 6.00  Retail advertising

Bottle redemption

• MGL c. 94, §§ 321-327
• 301 CMR 4.00

Cash purchases

• MGL c.255D, § 10A Discrimination against cash buyers

Cooling off periods / Cancellation rights

• MGL c. 93, § 68D Credit services
• MGL c. 93, § 48 Door to door sales
• MGL c. 93, § 81 Health clubs
• MGL c. 183B, § 38 Time shares
• 16 CFR 429 Federal cooling off rule for door to door sales and consumer goods or services

7 years  Gift cards are valid

Gift certificates and gift cards

• MGL c. 255D, § 1 Gift certificate defined
• MGL c. 93, § 14S Store credits must be valid for at least 7 years
• MGL c. 200A, § 5D Gift certificates and cards must be valid for at least 7 years; issuance and expiration dates must be clearly indicated
• 12 CFR 205.20 Restricts dormancy, inactivity, or service fees for certain prepaid products, including gift cards, and prohibits the sale or issuance of such products if they have an expiration date of less than 5 years
• 209 CMR 31.20 Gift certificates and cards must be valid for not less than 7 years

Holidays

• MGL c. 136, § 16 Retail stores - Sunday and holiday opening

Item pricing

• MGL c. 94, §§ 184B-184E Grocery items:
  • § 184B Definitions
  • § 184C Price disclosure and display on items offered for sale by food store or food department
  • § 184D Inspection of food stores and food departments for compliance with Secs. 184B to 184E; violations and fines; consumer complaint of noncompliance
  • § 184E Conversion from individual item pricing system to consumer price scanner system; operation and inspection of consumer price scanner system
• 940 CMR 3.13  Non-grocery items

Lay away plans

• 940 CMR 3.12

Mail, internet or telephone orders (shipping date and refunds)

• 16 CFR 435 Mail, internet, or telephone order merchandise ("Mail Order Rule")

Rain checks

• 940 CMR 6.06   Availability, rain checks

Returns

• 204 CMR 2.04(3) Alcoholic beverage return
• 940 CMR 3.13  Return and cancellation
• 940 CMR 6.12  All sales final return policy

Sales

• 940 CMR 6.05  Sales and price comparison

Sales tax

• MGL c. 64H, § 6A Sales tax holiday weekend
• 830 CMR 64H1.8 Sales tax holiday
• 830 CMR 64H1.4 Discounts, coupons, rebates
• Dept. of Revenue Letter Ruling 09-4 Refund of sales tax on returned merchandise
• Dept. of Revenue Directive 06-4 Sales tax refund for motor vehicle returned to dealer

Unsolicited merchandise

• MGL c. 93, § 43 Unsolicited merchandise may be considered an unconditional gift

Warranties

• MGL c. 106, § 2-313 Express warranties
• MGL c. 106, § 2-314 Implied warranty of merchantability
• MGL c. 106, §.2-315 Implied warranty of fitness for particular purpose
• 940 CMR 3.08  Repairs and services including warranties and service contracts

Web sources

Consumer rights and resources, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
Links to consumer guide to shopping rights and scams, consumer protection law, and options for resolving a consumer complaint.

Massachusetts blue laws and working on Sundays and holidays, Mass. Dept. of Labor Standards.
Explains the rules for businesses opening on Sundays and holidays with links to the laws. 

Online shopping, Federal Trade Commission.
Tips for consumers when making purchases online.

Shopping blog posts, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
Links to blog posts by the Office of Consumer Affairs on topics related to shopping and returns.

Shopping for health insurance? What consumers need to know when purchasing coverage through an online website, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
Explains how to find a legitimate health insurance plan and offers tips on how to approach the insurance purchasing process.

Print sources

Consumer law, 4th ed. (Mass. Practice v. 35 - 36A), Thomson Reuters, 2021. 

• Advertising – chapter 2
• Miscellaneous products or services (clothing, health club contracts, travel service, etc.) – chapter 30
• Retail Practices – Chapter 3
• Warranties – Chapter 6

Last updated:	March 18, 2024