Customers who complete a transaction with an online store are protected by the distance selling clause of the Consumer Protection Law. This means that you can return not only damaged or defective goods, but also those that did not fit for some reason or for no reason at all.
Shopping in online stores attracts with their low prices, in comparison with offline stores. But the main benefit is not even that. An unsuitable product can be returned to the online store, regardless of what exactly you purchased. According to the law "On Protection of Consumer Rights", there is a certain list of goods that cannot be returned. But this does not apply to online purchases.
What and when to return
When buying something online, remember that within a week after receiving the product, you have the right to return it to the store without giving any reason. You can choose not to tell the seller what exactly you didn’t like. And it doesn't matter what exactly you purchased. It can be sophisticated appliances, household appliances, and even underwear.
Moreover, you can refuse the product without even receiving it. That is, during delivery. For example, if you suddenly change your mind. To do this, you need to notify the online store of your decision. In this case, reference should be made to the law "On Protection of Consumer Rights", clause on distance selling. Since it is he who regulates the rights of buyers of online stores.
In order for the purchase to be returned, you need to take into account some features:
- the thing must be of a presentation;
- the packaging from it must be unchanged (for example, the integrity of the box and what was put into it to protect the fragile goods are preserved);
- all labels must be in place;
- all factory seals must be in place.
The fundamental difference between returning goods to a regular store and an online store is that in the latter case, a receipt is not required. For example, you paid for the item with a bank card or through an electronic payment system. You already have all the data on payment for the purchase. A check is not required additionally.
How to return an item to an online store
Once you receive your purchase from an online store, you can return it to the seller. To do this, you must fill out the return form, which must be attached to the purchase. In it, the seller (store) is obliged to indicate the buyer's rights to return. Namely:
- the address of the store (that is, its real office offline);
- the period within which the goods can be returned (at least 7 days from the date of delivery);
- the terms in which funds for the purchase will be reimbursed;
- information about the form in which the goods should be in order for the return to be carried out (clause on labels and seals, packaging integrity);
- the operating hours of the store, its contact details.
In the event that at least one item is not described in the return form, or such a form is absent altogether in the parcel, it is considered that the seller did not provide all information about the product. What does this give the buyer? The purchase return period is extended to three months. Delivery of the purchase back to the seller is paid by the buyer, but the store is obliged to refund these funds, unless otherwise stated in its charter. You simply pay for the delivery of your purchase to the store by enclosing a completed return certificate in the parcel, and wait for a refund.
Only custom-made items cannot be returned to the online store without good reason. If they do not fit in the parameters (for example, the ordered color differs from the real one), you can return the purchase, since there is a violation of the purchase agreement.
The store must refund the money for the returned goods within 10 days from the date of signing the return form by both parties. That is, you and the seller. It is recommended that you keep receipts and other documents confirming that you sent the unsuitable item back to the store.
