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Caveat Emptor is a Latin phrase that translates
to mean, “let the buyer beware”. At
Aegean Spas & Hot Tubs we believe that consumer
rights should be placed before any commercial
interest and that consumers should also be well
aware of the rights given to them through the
ever developing European legal framework.
Did you know that if you buy a product exclusively
from the Internet, then you are awarded with more
rights than an ordinary high street shopper? This
covers most of which you have bought without going
into a shop, showroom or at a show e.g. a purchase
on a website. The Consumer Protection (Distance
Selling) Regulations 2000 provides that the consumer:
- should be given clear accurate information
about the goods before they buy
- must be written confirmation once they have
made a purchase
- must be given a cooling off period of 7 working
days.
These regulations apply whenever you purchase
an item without making any face-to-face contact
with the supplier. The aim of having a cooling
off period is to allow you the opportunity to
examine the goods that the retailer is offering,
in the same way you would have done had you visited
a shop. If you do not like your product for any
reason all you have to do is give notice of cancellation
to the seller within the 7 days from receipt of
the goods. The effect of this ends your contract
for the supply of goods. The supplier must then
return any funds paid within 30 days of the cancellation.
If the website or the written contract which
you receive confirming the order fail to mention
the Distance Selling Regulations your rights are
further extended. As a consumer you will be able
to reject the goods for up to 3 months from the
date of purchase… so that’s 90 days
at your leisure before the goods can be rejected.
Sometimes a lack of small print goes a long way!
Spas are no different to any other item which
you may purchase on the Internet. If you buy a
spa the Distance Selling Rules still apply and
you will be entitled to that minimum 7 day cooling
off period and if your retailer fails to mention
the time limit, you have up to three months. Even
though your spa purchase maybe expensive, your
rights are still the same. So be confident in
shopping on the Internet… the law is on
your side.
This information has been produced for the benefit
of the consumer to ensure that retailers always
provide their customers with their statutory rights.
This article is for information purposes only
and should not be used as a source of law or guidance
upon which to base a claim. Should you wish to
make a claim against a retailer we suggest that
you contact your local Trading Standards Office
and read the guide which is available free of
charge at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/pdf1/bus_guide.pdf
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