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PhrasesReturning ItemsHo diritto alla garanzia legale.
B2formal

Ho diritto alla garanzia legale.

I am entitled to the legal warranty.

Pronunciation

'Garanzia' — ga-ran-TSEE-a. Four syllables, stress on the third.

When to use it

Use when a shop tries to refuse a return on a defective item that is less than two years old. This phrase invokes your legal right and usually changes the tone of the conversation immediately.

What it means

'Avere diritto a' means to be entitled to. 'Garanzia legale' refers specifically to the two-year statutory warranty under EU and Italian law (Decreto Legislativo 206/2005). This is distinct from the commercial warranty offered by the manufacturer.

Variations

Il prodotto è in garanzia.

The product is under warranty.

Simpler statement.

La garanzia legale è di due anni.

The legal warranty is two years.

Reminds them of the legal timeframe.

Voglio parlare con il responsabile.

I want to speak with the manager.

Escalation phrase — use if staff are unhelpful.

Mini Dialogue

Commesso: Mi dispiace, non accettiamo resi dopo trenta giorni. Cliente: Ho diritto alla garanzia legale. Il prodotto è difettoso e ho sei mesi. Commesso: Capisco, ha ragione. Chiamo il responsabile. Cliente: Grazie.

Assistant: I'm sorry, we don't accept returns after thirty days. Customer: I am entitled to the legal warranty. The product is defective and I have six months. Assistant: I understand, you are right. I'll call the manager. Customer: Thank you.

Cultural Note

In Italy, if you report a defect within six months of purchase, the defect is presumed to have existed at the time of sale and the burden of proof is on the seller. After six months, you must prove the defect was pre-existing.