Online items can only be returned if the seal is intact?

scrotist · 03-09-2024 11:52PM #1

Im buying an expensive thing for my missus. But who knows if it will fit her.

The return information states if you don't want the item you can return it in 30 days. But only if it's unopened and the seal is intact.

"We only request that the package is returned unopened (seal still intact) and in saleable condition."

This is a contraption that probably has a seal on it. How is she supposed to try it on? No it's not a sex contraption it's a pregnancy support belt.

Surely we have a right to try it on? Isn't there a law about this? Massive dosage.

xyz13 · 04-09-2024 07:57AM

A support belt cost €35…

whiterebel · 04-09-2024 09:11AM

MOD: Moved to Consumer Issues, as it is more suitable here. Please note charter in new forum.

TheChizler · 04-09-2024 09:14AM

Is it the kind of thing you could try on in a shop? Or would it be sealed there too?

Cabaal · 05-09-2024 03:12PM

I suspect its classified as a health/medical item, it wouldn't be normal for shops to accept returns back for such products if already opened.

magicbastarder · 05-09-2024 03:16PM

The cooling-off period does not apply to certain purchases.
Examples are:
Personalised or custom-made products
Products with a short shelf life that spoil quickly
Products that cannot be returned for health or hygiene reasons
Leisure services that are for a set date or period such as hotel bookings, car rental or concert tickets
Passenger transport services such as bus, rail or air

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/shopping-online/

scrotist · 06-09-2024 08:40AM

It's just a plastic belt with a bit of velcro on it. You don't wear it naked or anything.

L1011 · 06-09-2024 08:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587906#Comment_122587906

Would you be happy if one arrived to you, opened and repackaged?

If not (and I'm absolutely sure most people would not), it falls under the exception for health/hygeine.

magicbastarder · 06-09-2024 10:09AM

The manufacturer/vendor may specialise in medical products and this might be (understandably) their de facto position.

Don't forget, the cooling off period doesn't have any effect on warranty issues. That doesn't help you if you're worried about fit. Have you tried emailing them with a query about this? Probably worth a punt.

scrotist · 06-09-2024 10:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587916#Comment_122587916

Let me get this straight. If something i bought online doesn't fit, I am forced to keep it?

The belt arrived and it's too big. My partner wore it for 8 seconds. The seal on the box is broken so according to their (website) law we can't return it. It cost €90.

By Irish / EU law we can't send it back and get our money back?

magicbastarder · 06-09-2024 11:41PM

well, according to the citizens information link i posted, vendors are allowed refuse the cooling off period for hygiene reasons.

they shouldn't refuse to accomodate you if the product shipped did not comply with what was ordered.

to be fair, it was a quick delivery; you ordered and it was delivered within two days.

Charles Babbage · 07-09-2024 12:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587916#Comment_122587916

Dissatisfaction with the lack of packaging has nothing to do with health or hygiene.

Mrs OBumble · 07-09-2024 12:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587916#Comment_122587916

Health / hygiene applies to underpants. Not to something that you wear on top of your clothes!

xyz13 · 07-09-2024 11:26AM

A fool and his money are soon parted…

07-09-2024 11:35AM

The purpose of the distance selling regulations is to afford you the same opportunities as if you were buying in a bricks and mortar shop. Would you have been allowed try on the item if you were purchasing it in person?

L1011 · 07-09-2024 02:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122590869#Comment_122590869

In the case of distance sales, it absolutely does.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122590726#Comment_122590726

If the item cannot be resold unsealed for health and hygiene rules, yes.

In this case, I sincerely hope that it does.

Mrs OBumble · 07-09-2024 02:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591903#Comment_122591903

I don't think you understand how belts like this work.

Hint : its nothing like a chastity belt!

magicbastarder · 07-09-2024 02:40PM

Hint : its nothing like a chastity belt!

bit late anyway if she's already pregnant.

L1011 · 07-09-2024 02:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591950#Comment_122591950

More than half the google image results show them being worn directly on flesh.

I don't think a retailer would be able to sell an open box product in this case.

Clothing that doesn't get covered by the hygeine get-out is loose fitting or outerwear, not stuff like this.

elperello · 07-09-2024 02:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058367531/online-items-can-only-be-returned-if-the-seal-is-intact

I think that if as you say "non return opened" is in the Terms and Conditions of Sale you can't return.

Mrs OBumble · 07-09-2024 02:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591976#Comment_122591976

I have news for you about bra fittings.

L1011 · 07-09-2024 02:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591984#Comment_122591984

In general that isn't the case - you are allowed open things to inspect them, and a retailer cannot override this with T&Cs; unless there are hygiene reasons not to.

But I would be absolutely confident that the OP will get nowhere challenging this, as there is an obvious hygeine reason not to. If I bought such an item and it arrived re-packaged I'd be returning it.

L1011 · 07-09-2024 02:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591989#Comment_122591989

I have news for you about what "underwear" is.

Retailers don't have to take back bras either. Any that do for goodwill reasons are throwing them out, not reselling them.

elperello · 07-09-2024 03:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591992#Comment_122591992

I agree that in general you have the right to open and examine the goods.

In this case hygiene is a reason why you are precluded from doing so.

As you say, the item without factory packaging would be unsaleable.

Mrs OBumble · 07-09-2024 06:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122591998#Comment_122591998

I can 100% assure you that if you have a bra fitting in a shop, the ones that you try on but do not buy are NOT thrown out. They are returned to the shelf, ready for the next person to try on / buy.

A maternity support belt is very similar. It may touch skin. But it does not come into contact with body fluids. There is absolutely no health / hygiene reason for it not to be returnable.

L1011 · 08-09-2024 01:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122592785#Comment_122592785

Shops can manage their stock in a way online retailers cannot. If you're OK buying a bra that's had forty other womens boob sweat on it, that's your decision. I wouldn't.

I would demand a refund on any open box product delivered from an online retailer in this sphere.

Any close contact items can, and do, come in contact with sweat.

C3PO · 24-09-2024 06:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122592785#Comment_122592785

I bow to your greater knowledge on this but there is no way that I would buy any item of underwear that I thought someone else might have worn!

Online items can only be returned if the seal is intact?

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