Press releases
18 November 2006
Only six online shopping days to go before christmas, warns consumer direct.
Although many websites provide last order dates for customers wanting their gifts before Christmas, those that don't specify delivery times are obliged to deliver goods within 30 days - meaning the last online shopping day before Christmas could theoretically be as early as 23rd November!If a company fails to deliver goods ordered online by the date stipulated in the contract or within 30 days, then it should offer the consumer a full refund of any money paid in advance.
Carol Brady, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct said: 'Last year, we received a lot of calls from consumers who were upset when the gifts that they ordered online didn't turn up in time for Christmas. Our advice is very simple - do your shopping early enough to make sure you’re not disappointed.'
The regulations also state that consumers buying goods over the internet or by mail order have the unconditional right to cancel an order and any related credit agreement within seven days, starting from the day after the goods have been received. There are however, some types of goods which do not have a cancellation right (for example, personalised goods).
Consumers buying online also have their normal statutory rights to return all faulty or misdescribed goods at no charge.
Consumers needing more information about online shopping can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit the website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
NOTES
Next week sees the start of National Consumer Week which runs from 20th - 24th November.
According to the post office, the last delivery day for post is the Saturday 23rd December.
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It operates in partnership with local authority Trading Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 contact centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 - 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 - 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
Northern Ireland has its own service called ConsumerLine which is similar to Consumer Direct. Visit the ConsumerLine website.
MEDIA enquiries:
Frank Shepherd: 020 7211 8133/ 07747 457616
