940 Mass. Reg. 3.15

Current through Register 1520, April 26, 2024
Section 3.15 - New for Used, Substitution of Products, Failure to Deliver
(1) New for Used. It is unfair and deceptive trade practice to represent, directly or indirectly, that a product is new or unused, or that any part of a product is new or unused when such is not the fact, or to misrepresent the extent of previous use thereof. It is further an unfair and deceptive trade practice for a seller to offer for sale or sell any product which is used, contains used parts; is rebuilt, remanufactured, reconditioned, or contains rebuilt, remanufactured, or reconditioned parts; or has the appearance of being new when it is not; unless prior, clear and conspicuous disclosure that such a product has been used, rebuilt, remanufactured or reconditioned, or that it contains used, rebuilt, remanufactured or reconditioned parts, is made to the buyer or prospective buyer.

The disclosure that a product has been used or contains used parts as required by the previous paragraph may be made by use of a word such as, but not limited to, "Used," "Second Hand," "Repaired," "Remanufactured," "Reconditioned," "Rebuilt," or "Relined," whichever is applicable to the product involved.

(2) Substitution of Products. It is an unfair and deceptive trade practice to make a substitution of products:
(a) By shipping, delivering, or installing products which do not conform to samples submitted or to specifications upon which the sale is consummated to induced, or to the representations made prior to securing the order, without advising the purchaser of the substitution and obtaining his consent thereto prior to making shipment, delivery, or installation;
(b) By falsely representing the reason for making the substitution in order to induce consent; or
(c) When there was no intention to deliver the original merchandise ordered.
(3) Failure to Deliver. It is an unfair and deceptive act or practice:
(a) To advertise or promise prompt delivery where delivery is neither prompt nor expeditious.
(b) To fail to deliver merchandise ordered by mail or otherwise on which payment has been made or undertaken, in the form of a deposit, down payment or total payment where a definite delivery date has been set unless the seller can show circumstances beyond his control and not within his knowledge at the time the order was accepted which prevented the seller from meeting the delivery date.
(c) To accept an order for goods, or services, where delivery is not, because of facts known to the seller, contemplated within four weeks, unless a later delivery date is specifically agreed upon by the buyer and the seller.

940 CMR 3.15