What consumer rights do we have when buying online?

Milsey

What are our rights when buying stuff online. Is there a website or organisation we can talk to if we feel our rights have been infringed. I bought an item from America and am having no look with resolving the issue at all. I'm wanting to know what I can do to resolve it or how to go about getting noticed and reporting my breach of consumer rights. Thanks for posts in advance.

slimjimmc

Distance Selling rules may apply, but as it is EU law you might have a job trying to impose it on a US based company.

eagle_&_bear

In essence, any movement on your rights will be tough.

first of all, you are dealing over the internet. This, unfortunately is a vipers den - in effect there are no laws governing the internet (and there can't be - it is a communal shared portal) so no laws here.

As for buying stuff in America -that is where the seller is based but where is the server based? This is where distance rules get VERY technical. You must look at first server of output, and other re-routing servers and last server of input. If it was simply the case the the servers were all in the same country then you move under that law but if there are different servers then its more complicated. Also, whatever website you are buying through, they will also have information on the terms and conditions which will assist. Maybe they have a redress procedure? I'm think of sites like eBay/Paypal who have very good redress facilities.

Whilst the law in this jurisdiction is, where ever you complete the contract, the law of this jurisdiction applies - this is complicated by the servers issue. You might complete it in Ireland but you might be using a Server is the North Pole so THAT law applies so this is where it gets messy. And in law: messy and timely cost money. and you might have to weigh up the value of the good and the cost associated with the remedy you want.

Again, if you were to get an order for judgment here (which isn't complicated) , there are issues of service on the other side, and notification etc. And after all that (and the cost therein), you then have to go and try enforce that in the country the seller/manufacturer is in. Very costly

sorry to be a pessimist but you would have to take stock of all this before you should proceed.

Milsey

Thanks for all responces. Yes it looks like i'm peeing against the wind to get this company to uphold their promise to refund the faulty and missguided goods. It's a pitty I cant find a way to make them. Thanks again for responces. If anyone has anything to add i'll be watching, Thanks.