[thelist] UK distance selling regulations

[Chris Kavanagh]

Dear list,

Thank you all for the help.  I thought posting what I've learned about  
the law on this matter might actually be fairly helpful for those  
developing websites that sell to UK consumers.

As Chris Nicholls suggested: with a very few exceptions (including  
online auctions), UK consumers do have a right to return any goods they  
have bought in a "distance contract" - meaning a transaction in which  
the seller (or any of his colleagues) and the buyer have not had  
physical contact.

Basically, the consumer has the right to cancel and demand a full  
refund within seven days of either receiving the product or agreeing to  
the service.  Their money must be returned within 30 days.  Unless  
previously agreed in writing, the consumer doesn't have to return the  
goods - just make them available for the seller to collect.

I believe the above only applies if the consumer has been advised of  
his rights to cancel in writing (or in the T&Cs of a website):  
otherwise the consumer has three months and seven days in which to  
cancel.  So it may be worth updating your T&Cs if you have UK ecommerce  
clients.

A handy guide is here:
http://www.oft.gov.uk/Business/Legal+Powers/ 
Distance+Selling+Regulations.htm

Kind regards,
CK.