Online shopping is becoming more and more popular. Of course, it’s nice not to go out in the comfort of your home to choose an interesting product, study its characteristics, see the feedback from other buyers and order delivery at a convenient time.
In addition, the Law establishes additional guarantees and rights for consumers to be able to make a conscious choice, and in the case of an error of choice, there are still possibilities for a free return.
Therefore, the activities of any person who sells goods on the Internet must comply with mandatory requirements established by law:
The site must necessarily contain information on the basic consumer properties of the goods, the address (location) of the seller, the place of manufacture of goods, the full brand name (name) of the seller, the price of goods, the conditions of acquisition of goods, its delivery, service life, shelf life, warranty period, the procedure for payment for goods, the period during which the proposal to conclude a contract.
When buying goods, the consumer must be provided with such information, as:
- Rules and conditions of use of goods,
- Location (address)
- Firm name (name) of the manufacturer and the importer (if the goods are imported),
- Location (address) of the organization (organizations) authorized by the manufacturer (seller) to accept claims from buyers and making repairs and maintenance of goods, for imported goods – the name of the country of origin of goods.
It shall not be allowed to sell the goods that were in use or the goods in which the lack was eliminated without warning the consumer about it.
When buying goods, the consumer must be provided with the information on the order of return of goods with preserved good quality:
- the period during which such return is allowed (can not be less than 7 days);
- conditions of such return (preserved trade dress and consumer properties) shall be indicated.
- the address of the seller, where the return is made, and the mode of its operation
The seller is obliged to accept goods of appropriate quality, not suitable for the consumer, at least for 7 days. The term of payment for such goods may not exceed 10 days.
Why do we provide such a detailed description of the seller’s obligations and a list of information provided by the seller?
First of all eCommerce analytics tool shows, that it is profitable to provide a customer with such information because the customer starts to feel safe. Moreover, the fact is that the absence of at least one position is not just a significant violation of consumer rights, but may also indicate the sale of illegally imported goods (so-called “gray” import) by this online store. Such products are usually not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. However, the manufacturer also has no obligation to provide maintenance and repair services for such products, even on a paid basis. In other words, they are not obliged to supply spare parts and parts, to establish service centers with qualified specialists, etc.
The absence of a real address on the website of the online store, where the goods can be returned, not only indicates the bad faith of the company but is also a sign that your right to return the goods within 7 days is likely to be violated.
Therefore, the choice of the online store to approach should be the most responsible and already at the stage of choice cut off potential violators.
