Your Consumer Rights

Saturday, 10 April 2021 09:00

By Amanda Hamilton

The unprecedented times we are experiencing means that more and more people are buying online. So, what are the rules relating to online purchases and how are you protected? Amanda Hamilton of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), offers some guidance

The rules relating to online purchases and how you are protected, particularly if you change your mind, very much depends on what is purchased online. This area of law comes under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 which came into force on the 13th June 2014. In essence, the burden lies with the seller to provide all necessary key information including:

A description of what is being purchased, the total price and how it is calculated
How you pay for the items with details of any additional costs and when the item(s) will be delivered to you
Details of your rights to cancel and the cost of returning, and who pays for the cost of returning items
In respect of digital items, information on the compatibility of hardware and software as far as the seller is aware (or can reasonably be expected to be aware)
The geographical location of the seller or the trader on behalf of whom the seller is selling
Details of how to cancel the purchase

But what happens if you place your order and then change your mind, either before or after the item is delivered?

As a consumer, your right to cancel starts as soon as you pay for the order and ends 14 days after receiving the items or last of a batch of items. If you’re purchasing services online then your right to cancel starts as soon as you sign a contract and ends 14 days later.

If a seller does not provide all the necessary information to you, he/she can be sanctioned according to the Consumer Contracts Regulations and the length of time you have a right to cancel may be extended from 14 days to one year. So, if all the information is not supplied by the seller
an automatic extension will apply under the regulations which the consumer can quote. For example, ‘I know my rights under the CCR 2013 and since you haven’t supplied me with all the necessary information, I am now able to cancel for up to one year’

The rights afforded to consumers online under these regulations, are greater than buying face-to-face which are covered generally by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

In respect of refunds, the seller must refund the cost of the item and standard delivery within 14 days after receiving the returned item or within 14 days of receiving proof that you have returned the item (for example, proof of posting). On the other hand, if the seller has agreed to collect the returned item, then a refund should be forthcoming within 14 days of cancelling the contract, whether or not the item has already been collected.

There are, as always, exemptions where the Consumer Contract Regulations do not apply – for example, DVDs, CDs or items where there are seals that are broken - including seals that are there for health or hygiene purposes, such as underwear. Also, bookings relating to hotels, flights or car hire are exempt. That does not mean to say that there is no redress on these types of purchases, but they’re exempt for the purposes of the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013.

If you are purchasing services, such as membership of a dance studio, and you decide to cancel after you have attended a few times within the 14 day period, then any refund may be reduced to allow for the benefit you have received.

It is always best to check the sellers’ Terms and Conditions before purchasing anything because while the minimum period of cancellation under the Regulations is 14 days, some sellers may have extended this which gives you, the consumer, a longer period of time to make up your mind.

CALLS TO HELPLINES

If you find yourself needing to call the company’s helpline or customer service team, the good news is, it is strictly prohibited under the Consumer Contract Regulations to charge in excess of a normal call rate to any helpline. In other words, no premium rate numbers are allowed!

With all that has been going on over recent months, and the huge increase in online buying, it’s important to understand your rights, and know how you are protected, when buying remotely. So, be sure to read the terms and conditions, and don’t be afraid to go back to the seller if you need to.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Hamilton is Chief Executive of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), a non-profit Membership Body and the only Paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England).

Website: www.nationalparalegals.co.uk

Twitter: @NALP_UK

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalAssocationsofLicensedParalegals/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hamilton-llb-hons-840a6a16

Your Consumer Rights

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