Returning something under the 7 day distance rule?

Cutshaw

Cutshaw

Cutshaw

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14 Nov 2007
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I recently ordered an item from an online retailer, and aside from every aspect of the sale and after sales service being shady, I've since decided it's not the item I'm after. It's due to arrive on tues/wed coming, and I'm just wondering how I stand with the 7 day rule. I had a google for info, but it would be nice if someone could give me an idea of how it works in a familiar scenario, like wanting to return a hard drive as an example.
 
AFAIK, just say you have changed your mind about the order and would like a cash refund. Obviously you'll have to pay the shipping to return it but as long as you declare that you want a refund to their sales department within 7days, they will most likely accept it.

I think thats how it works anyway.
 
Cutshaw said:
I recently ordered an item from an online retailer, and aside from every aspect of the sale and after sales service being shady, I've since decided it's not the item I'm after. It's due to arrive on tues/wed coming, and I'm just wondering how I stand with the 7 day rule. I had a google for info, but it would be nice if someone could give me an idea of how it works in a familiar scenario, like wanting to return a hard drive as an example.
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As far as I know they have to refund you under the distant selling act as long as it's in perfect condition
 
I see. About the condition, it'll be going back unopened, but it would be an idea to take pictures before I send it? A back up incase it's damaged going back to them?

I'll wait till it arrives and phone them up about the return. If there is a restock fee, I'll just put it down to experience.
 
creed said:
yea seen others on here rejecting delivery to avoid the returns cost so it must work...
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To be honest, he ordered the item, they deliver. The fact that the OP doesn't want it isn't their fault, it'd be very cheeky and immoral to reject delivery.
 
if you reject delivery make sure you speak to the company first to give them the heads up, and you probably will get a restocking fee but just speak to their customer services and take it from there.

the take a picture bit was just a suggestion i.e. to show how you recieved it etc.
 
I gave that a go. It seems the item went from not being despatched(before a cancellation was mentioned), to being semi-despatched (after a refund was mentioned). They said it could be cancelled, but a refund couldn't be given after 3pm due to some banking issue and the fact it was sent out from some part of the "company", but hadn't actually left them. Because of the holiday on monday refund will go ahead on Tuesday, and seemingly that will take 3-5 days. *joy*

I can see this becoming a painful saga. Let's hope I'm wrong.

oh, and I ordered this item the day before yesterday and it still wasn't on it's way.
 
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Actually the restocking fee bit is not legal. They only get away with it because people don't complain. The advice that i recieved from Comsumer Direct told me that these so called "restocking" fees are illegal. You do have to pay for return postage though and make sure you get a returns authorisation code first.
 
unfortunatly restocking fees are legal as long as they are reasonable, i.e. 50% restocking fee is illegal, but a £5 fee on something that cost £100 is not just legal but fair.
 
aproctor said:
unfortunatly restocking fees are legal as long as they are reasonable, i.e. 50% restocking fee is illegal, but a £5 fee on something that cost £100 is not just legal but fair.
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Restocking fees are illegal under the distance selling regulations.

Return of goods following cancellation (Regulation 17)

Who pays for returning the goods if the consumer cancels
an order?

3.55 If you want the consumer to return the goods and to pay for that return, you must make it clear in the contract and as part of the required written information – see paragraph 3.10. If the consumer then fails to return the goods, or sends them at your expense, you can charge them the direct cost to you of the return, even if you have already refunded the consumer’s money. You are not allowed to make any further charges, such as a restocking charge or an administration charge.
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This means that as long as you advise the supplier that you do not want the goods and that they will be returned to them, then you can refuse the delivery of the goods and allow the courier to return them to the supplier. At no point, unless it is explicitly mentioned in the contract, do you have to include any RMA reference etc on the outside of any packages.

It might be polite to send it back at your own cost etc, but is not an obligation unless the contract already states that when you made the purchase. Best to check the small-print...

Wouldn't be the first time that I have refused something after trying to cancel an order that showed as not being sent, only to find the status change immediately after my telephone call. They may also insist that you receive the item first, then return it, but as I said above, check the small-print.

You may even find that under the contract you do not have to send the item back. The regulations state only that you must make the item available for the supplier to recover, unless it is stated in your contract that you would return the item to them.

I would urge everyone who purchases items on the t'internet to have a read of their rights at http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/legal/distance-selling-regulations/

You'd be surprised what companies try to steam-roller you into doing/accepting :mad:
 
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