Internet auction sites agree to highlight consumer rights

[HannaHolly]

Internet auction sites agree to highlight consumer rights

Date: 14 Nov 2007 - 14:25
Source: Office of Fair Trading


Following talks with the OFT, a number of internet auction sites have agreed to include and/or update information for consumers about their rights when buying through their sites.


Online auction sites eBay, eBid, CQout, QXL and Tazbar will now include advice and links on their sites to inform consumers of their rights under the Distant Selling Regulations (DSRs). They have also agreed to inform businesses that use their site as a sales channel of their legal obligations under the E-Commerce Regulations (ECRs).
In June this year the OFT published the findings of its Internet Shopping market study - download a copy here.
The study found that some businesses trading through online auctions were failing to identify themselves as businesses despite 60 per cent of online auction shoppers wanting to know whether they were buying from a business. Shoppers who buy from a business using the 'buy now' option on an auction site have the right to return items under the DSRs for many products.
Steve Lisseter, Head of Internet Shopping Study Team at the OFT, said: 'We welcome the efforts made by these online auction sites to raise awareness of consumers' rights, and we are also very encouraged by the work they are doing to ensure that businesses using their sites are fully aware of their legal obligations.'
For clear practical advice on consumer rights when shopping online, and for help when buying from online auction sites, consumers can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit the website at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

[HannaHolly]

http://mail.google.com/mail/?account...=19jb58fgjzc83

Auction site eBay and several other similar sites are to include more information for consumers about their online shopping rights.
The internet auction giant - together with eBid, CQout, QXL and Tazbar - will now include advice and links to inform consumers of their rights under the Distance Selling Regulations (DSRs).
Under these rules, online retailers must offer clear information about goods and services before you buy.
They should also provide written confirmation of your purchase after you buy and offer a 'cooling off' period during which time you can cancel an order for any reason and receive a full refund.
Distance selling

You're also entitled to a full refund if goods don't arrive by the date you agreed (if no date was agreed, you're entitled to a refund if goods don't arrive within 30 days), and sites should give a postal and email address you can write to should things go wrong.
The auction sites made the move following talks with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
The OFT says shoppers who buy from a business using the 'buy now' option on an auction site have the right to return items under the DSRs for many products, adding that 40% of shoppers who visit auction sites use the 'buy now' option.
Steve Lisseter, Head of Internet Shopping Study Team at the OFT, said: 'We welcome the efforts made by these online auction sites to raise awareness of consumers' rights, and we are also very encouraged by the work they are doing to ensure that businesses using their sites are fully aware of their legal obligations.'

© Which? 2007

[HannaHolly]

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[gazlannathai]

Does any of this address the rights of the overseas seller when a buyer deliberately chooses shipping by sea mail, knowing it will take 3 months to deliver, but fully intending to file a PayPal chargeback within the 45-day maximum that PayPal allows for claims to be filed?

And will the OFT recompense overseas sellers when Royal Snail goes on strike and goods are not delivered within the 30-days?

Do ANY of these rules have application to, or exemption for, overseas sellers?

Seller Beware





(huff)