Now this isnt strictly wedding related but i have noticed that a few people have ordered items then had problems when trying to return or get a refund so i thought a quick thread on what your rights are under the distance selling act might be useful
The Distance Selling Regulations Until 13 June 2014, the Distance Selling Regulations were the rules that protected your consumer rights when buying products from a distance, for example, online or over the phone. They set out information the seller must give about the goods or service on offer, including: a description of the goods or service the price of the goods or service delivery and any cancellation rights information about the seller
This information will normally be set out in the terms and conditions, but if you're buying goods over the phone the seller can provide the information verbally.
The information about the seller must include a geographical address if payment is taken. When you place an order, the seller becomes obliged by law to provide further information in writing or by email.
This includes details of how to exercise any right to cancel and who is responsible for the cost of returning goods. If the seller has already provided this information they don't need to do so again.
If the seller wants to send substitute goods, because they don't have the items you wanted in stock, it should say so before you place your order.
The cost of returning substitutes should always be at the seller’s expense.
The Distance Selling Regulations state that your right to cancel an order starts the moment you place your order and doesn’t end until seven working days from the day after you receive your goods.
This is the minimum consumers must be given and many sellers choose to exceed this, so always check the terms and conditions in case you have longer to return your items.
As this seven-day working period is the time you have to decide whether to cancel, by law the seller can’t say that you must have returned the goods within this time frame.
Confirmation of your cancellation should be sent by email, letter or fax.
If you're buying a service, such as gym membership or a cleaning service, you can usually cancel up to seven working days from the day after you enter into the contract.
But there are some contracts you can’t cancel simply because you change your mind, including:
contracts for transport and some leisure services to be provided on a specific date eg hotel bookings, flights, car hire, concert and other event tickets
contracts for services where you agreed to the service starting before the seven working days has expired - as long as the seller has provided all the information detailed above
If the seller has failed to comply with the requirements to provide information, Distance Selling Regulations mean that your right to cancel doesn’t end until seven working days from the day after the seller does comply.
This is up to a maximum of three months and seven working days from when you placed your order.
Although, be aware that this doesn't apply to specific date contracts for transport services and events.
The original cost of the outbound postage to you should always be refunded by the seller.
The seller's terms and conditions or returns policy should state who pays the cost of returning the item.
If they don't state this, then the seller has to cover the cost.
In this case, you're entitled to a refund of the total amount you paid, including costs to ship the item to you, and the fee to return the item. No admin or restocking fees should be charged.
If you receive faulty goods and wish to return them, The Distance Selling Regulations are in addition to your other legal rights.
So, if your goods are faulty and don’t do what they're supposed to, or don’t match the description given, you have the same consumer rights under the Sale of Goods Act as you have when buying face to face.
Any terms and conditions that say you must cover the cost of returning an item wouldn’t apply where the goods being returned are faulty.