If you think a merchant is misadvertising or giving false information, here is what you need to know.
You can try to get compensation when you think the sporting item you purchased does not correspond to the agreement you had with the merchant.
The sporting item you purchase must conform:
- to its description on the contract or the invoice;
- to what was described by the vendor;
- to the advertising in which it is featured.
For example, in an advertisement, a merchant cannot indicate the price of a sporting item and use the photo of another sporting item that is more expensive and of better quality.
Possible recourse in case of delivery delays
The law provides for recourse when a merchant fails to respect the date on which they agreed to make a delivery to you. But first, try to reach an agreement with the merchant.
Tools made available by the Office
To help you resolve your problem, the Office has made various tools available to you. First, refer to the Resolve a problem with a merchant section, which presents the various steps to follow. Among other things, you will find suggestions on negotiating with a merchant in order to reach an agreement.
The Office also makes available information kits tailored to problems of an exclusively civil nature. They cover reasonable durability of goods, deliveries, warranties and non-conformity of goods or services. The Download an information kit page provides all the information you need.
A merchant that advertises a sporting item on sale must have enough stock to meet demand.
Required disclaimer in advertisements
Merchants are required to indicate in their advertisements whether limited quantities of a discounted item are available. If supplies are limited, the advertisement must indicate the exact quantity that is available. In such a case, disclaimers such as “limited quantities” or “while supplies last” are not specific enough.
Out-of-stock situations
If the merchant has not specified the available quantity and the advertised item is out of stock when you go to the store during the sale, the merchant can choose to offer you another product of the same nature, that would normally cost the same or more, at the advertised sale price. Ask for it. If the merchant refuses, you can file a complaint with the Office de la protection du consommateur. The merchant may then have to prove to the court that they believed they had the item in sufficient quantities. The Contact Us page provides our contact information.
In an effort to provide good customer service, some merchants will offer you a deferred coupon that will allow you to purchase the item at the sale price at a later date. However, they are under no obligation to do so.
Last update : July 4, 2025
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The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.
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