[23
OCT 00]
WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS
Internet Customers
Get New Protection
Consumers
buying goods online will be protected by a new law, which comes into
force next week, say officers at Warwickshire Trading Standard.
The
Distance Selling Regulations will ensure that consumers buying from UK
companies over the internet:
-
receive
basic contact information
-
written
confirmation of their order
-
have
a cooling-off period of seven working days in which to cancel
-
get
delivery of goods and services within 30 days, unless otherwise
agreed.
The
new law, which also applies to buying by fax, over the phone, and by
mail order comes on the heels of an online-shopping survey, which
revealed problems with 38 per cent of all purchases.
Warwickshire
Trading Standards officers, who helped with the survey, said they hope
the new law will encourage companies that provided an unsatisfactory
level of service to adopt the good practice demonstrated by the
majority of online businesses surveyed.
Noel
Hunter, Director of Warwickshire Trading Standards, said:
"We
welcome this new law which will give consumers more protection and
greater confidence when buying on the net."
Warwickshire
Trading Standards Adviceline have received over 50 complaints and
enquires about goods and services purchased via the internet last year.
Complaints
have included allegations relating to the false description of
vehicles and hotel accommodation, goods that failed to arrive, the
failure to mention extra VAT and duty charges and concerns about
buying from companies that provided no contact details.
The Adviceline
number is 01926 414000.
SEE: [12
OCT 00] INTERNET SHOPPING FAILS TO MEET THE MARK
|
