Consumer law regards garment exchange or refund

Not having any legislative knowledge regarding consumer rights here in Germany, I was hoping someone would be able to help.

I bought a cotton dirndle (yellow embroidered with purple flowers) and had to wash it for the first time yesterday. It was inside out on a handwash cold with a delicate fabrics' laundry detergent. There is no care label inside and having washed another dirndle from Lodenfry (having the same care instructions that I followed with this one) and experiencing no problems, I assumed that all would be OK. Not so, the colours from the purple embroidered flowers has transferred to the yellow. I have tried everything and now washing for a fourth time in the hope that it will become once more wearable.

If in the UK, I would have no qualms about returning to the shop and asking for a refund or exchange - this due to the fact that there is no care label and the resulting outcome. However, here in Germany I have no clue as to my rights.

So if anyone could shed some light, it would be much appreciated. Or if anyone could tell me of a magic product to use to take away the colour run, that would also be most kind.

I have no idea what the law says but I would still try to get an exchange/refund. I wouldn't say anything about having washed the dirndl four times, though. The colour ran as soon as you washed it, that's all they need to know. It wouldn't do any harm to say that you've always been very pleased with the stuff you bought there before, etc. Hope it works!

Hams, all you can do is take it back and find out. At the end of the day you have worn it and used it, though the fact there was no label meant you were unclear on how to wash it. They may argue that they dont believe you washed it properly. Your word against their's. They may also understand and exchange it. Having worked in retail I'd always say ask politely for an exchange. Refund is a horrible word for a retailer. You may find your's is the 25th they've recieved back from the same batch!

My frustration comes when I take my expensive clothes to the high cost cleaners and when they are damaged I get..."well, we cleaned it according to the label. You have to take it back where you bought it." The cleaners never want to be responsible when it's really their fault.

Why is it the cleaner's fault if they followed the manufacturer's instructions?

Just to tie up loose ends... went back to the shop today and having explained the situation (their look of disbelief) and then taking pity on me, I was able to exchange. Not the same one sadly, but what I would have bought if not the yellow. So thank you to Lily et. al. at 120 Augustenstr.

So what colour is the new one? I hope you're playing it safe - embroidered blue flowers on blue, or embroidered pink flowers on pink, or...

Actually Kay, bright orange/red dirndle with white and bright green embroidered flowers...