Introduction to distance selling
Every day, many of us buy goods and services using the telephone and fax, by mail order and from catalogues, and increasingly from the Internet or from digital TV.
This gives us a chance to shop at a time that suits us, with the leisure to browse and without the hassle of finding a parking space.
Unfortunately, ’shopping at a distance’ can come with its own particular problems, so this section of the website helps you to understand your legal rights.
The law recognises that ’shopping at a distance’ comes with its own particular problems. You may order some goods and they do not turn up or you may find that when your goods turn up they are not the quality that you expected them to be.
The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 may give you rights in these and other circumstances. This law is more commonly referred to as the ’Distance Selling Regs’ and it covers goods and services that are sold via:
television internet (...) Read more
Most types of goods and services are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations 2000, except:
Financial services, like banking or insurance Auctions, Goods bought from a vending machine, Goods bought using a public payphone, Contracts for the sale of land, Food, drink or other goods for everyday consumption delivered by regular rounds (such as milk), Package Travel, Accommodation, transport, catering or leisure facilities for a specific time or date, when not sold as part of (...) Read more
Before you decide to buy goods or service via a distance selling method, the seller must give you the following information:
The name of the trader, along with their postal address if you have to pay in advance,
An accurate description of the goods or services,
The price, along with any taxes and delivery charges if relevant, and how long the price or offer remains valid,
Delivery arrangements (usually within 30 days unless you agree otherwise),
Payment arrangements,
The right (...) Read more
Protection for Credit Cards
If somebody uses your card fraudulently or dishonestly (without your knowledge) for any kind of Distance purchase, you can cancel the payment and the card issuer must refund you. You should notify your card issuer as soon as possible after you discover this fraudulent use or if your card has been stolen.
Unsolicited Goods
Unsolicited goods are those that have been sent to you ’out-of-the-blue’, that you haven’t ordered. The Distance Selling Regulations now say (...) Read more
The Distance Selling Regulations give you the right to change your mind and cancel an order within seven working days.
If you do decide to cancel, then you should put this in writing, either by letter (a proof of postage certificate or even recorded delivery would be wise) or you can fax or e-mail. A telephone call is not sufficient unless both you and the trader agree otherwise.
The time limits are:
Goods - seven working days after the day on which the goods are received
Services - (...) Read more
