Home Shopping - Consumer Protection
The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 give you added protection when, for example, buying over the Internet. Although these regulations have their roots in the mail order industry of a bygone era, with the phenomenal growth of internet selling their is an increasing relationship with this new media.
All traders need to provide the following information to prospective customers:
The name of the company.
Description of the goods/services.
The price including all taxes.
Arrangements for payment.
Delivery costs if applicable.
Arrangements for delivery which must be within 30 days unless the contract specifies otherwise.
The unconditional right to cancel the order - 7 working days for goods (starting from delivery date) and 7 working days for services starting from the date the consumer agreed to the contract.
The sellers postal address if it is a requirement the customer pays up front.
How long the offer or the price remains valid.
If this information is not already given in for instance a catalogue or advertisement, the trader will have to give it to the customer in writing or another durable form by the time the goods are delivered (the one exception is the last point).
Written information will also have to be given regarding cancellation rights, when and how the customer can cancel, a postal address where the customer can contact the trader, details of any after sales services and guarantees and when and how the customer can terminate any contract which has no specific end date or which lasts more than one year.
If a customer cancels then any money paid must be refunded within 30 days of receipt of their written cancellation.
The following contracts are not subject to cancellation:
Services started with customer's consent before the 7 day cancellation
period has expired.
Goods made to a customer's personal specification.
Goods or services the price of which is dependent on fluctuations in the financial market.
Goods, which by reason of their nature, cannot be returned (eg electricity) or are liable to deteriorate quickly (eg flowers).
Sealed audio or video recordings or computer software which have been opened by the customer.
Newspapers, periodicals, magazines or off betting, gaming or lottery services.
These Regulations do not apply to property, financial services or auctions.
