Shop Smart, Shop Secure: Your Definitive Handbook for Online Holiday Bliss - By Lynch Solicitors
Shopping online this Christmas? Know your rights
As we have experienced an unusual couple of years with Covid-19, we have become accustomed to online shopping now more than ever before.
Whilst the shops are back open, a lot of people are still doing their shopping on their phones and computers to avoid the Christmas queues. Therefore, there are a few things you need to know if you are one of those people.
What are your rights?
You might think that you are not protected when buying online or do not have the same consumer rights; however, this is not the case. Rather, you have the same protections under consumer law as buying in a shop.
Have you changed your mind about a Christmas gift?
Did you purchase something online, perhaps during the Black Friday sales, but now regret buying it, or found a better Christmas gift?
Don’t worry; when buying online within the EU, you have a right to cancel the order within 14 days of the purchase. This is known as the “cooling off” period. This applies even if the item was bought on sale.
The 14 days start once you physically receive the goods and if you decide to cancel your order within the 14 days, you are entitled to receive a full refund, regardless of your reason for canceling. But remember, the goods must also be returned within 14 days from cancellation.
It would be best if you also were mindful that not all purchases are covered by this cooling-off period. The cooling-off period does not apply to gifts such as concert tickets, hotel bookings, products that cannot be returned for health or hygiene reasons, personalized or custom-made products, etc.
It is also important to be aware that if the seller does not give you information on your cancellation rights, your right to cancel is extended by 12 months. If the seller gives you information on your right to cancel within these 12 months, the cooling-off period ends 14 days from the date you get the information.
How do I cancel my order?
You must inform the seller of your intention to cancel the order, within 14 days, in writing, by email or post, or by using the cancellation form if one is provided by the seller.
Once you do this, you are entitled to be fully refunded within 14 days of your cancellation. You must be refunded using the same payment method as used when the purchase was made unless you agree to a different payment method with the seller.
Am I entitled to a refund from return postage costs?
If you decide to return an item, you are responsible for the return and the seller does not have to refund you for the postage costs. Keep an eye out, however, as some sellers’ return policies will cover such costs.
Where is my order?
When you buy an item online, you should receive it within 30 days of purchasing it, or, if agreed differently, on the date you agreed with the seller.
If the item is not delivered within this time frame, you can request a new delivery date. If the seller refuses or cannot facilitate a new delivery date, you can end the contract and request a refund.
Afterthought
Whilst you have the same rights and protections when shopping online, you should be careful when ordering items from outside of the EU, as you may not be able to avail of some of those protections.
We wish all our clients happy shopping, a Happy Christmas, and a Healthy New Year.
For further advice or if you wish to discuss any other legal area please contact [email protected] or telephone 052-6124344.
The material contained in this blog is provided for general information purposes only and does not amount to legal or other professional advice. While every care has been taken in the preparation of the information, we advise you to seek specific advice from us about any legal decision or course of action.
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