Would you know what your rights were if you purchased something online which you then had to return? Whether you are buying clothing, furniture or even Football Kits companies such as kitking most people are unaware that if you buy online, you have more protection than you would have if you purchased in a traditional shop. Here we look at your rights and how to return goods to the retailer.
According to the Telegraph the British are the biggest online shoppers in the developed world, however, a lot of British online shoppers don’t know about their rights if they want to return goods they are unhappy with.
Right to return goods
The Consumer Contracts Regulations are designed to support online shoppers by acknowledging that when you buy online you don’t have the same opportunity to check and inspect items that you would if you were buying in a shop. So if something arrives and it isn’t what you expected or you have just changed your mind, then you have the right to return it. Your existing legal rights still apply if goods are faulty.
When you order something online you have from the moment of purchase until 14 days after the goods have arrived to cancel the order. You then have 14 days from when you notify the retailer of your intention to cancel (by email, phone, etc.), to send the goods back to them. There are some exceptions to this right to return including personalised items, DVDs and CDs you have broken the seal on, and perishable items.
How to return goods
When you send items back to the retailer you will have to cover this cost and the retailer should refund the cost of sending you the items in the first place. It is a good idea to get proof of postage or use a courier system to have the item delivered.
The cost of returning goods should not be covered by the purchaser when the goods are faulty. Any refund should be paid within 14 days of the goods being returned and should be cash rather than a credit note or voucher.
So the next time you buy something online you should now be more familiar with what you need to do in order to return something you are not happy with and to get the best possible outcome for yourself.
