02. What is the difference between 'goods' and 'services'?

If you have a problem with something you've paid for, it's important to know whether your problem is about 'goods' or 'services', because your legal rights may be different.

Usually it's obvious whether things are goods or services. Examples of goods are:

• groceries;  
• clothing;  
• furniture; and  
• household appliances.

Examples of services are:

• dry-cleaning;
• hairdressing; and  
• home improvements.

However, sometimes goods are supplied as part of a service. For example,if you have double glazing fitted or get your car repaired, it is a service. But if the goods make up a part of a contract (such as a replacement engine for a car), both areas of law can apply.