Important news re EU law on buying online
It never fails to amaze us, as lawyers, at the fact there aren’t more problems with online trade, which often takes place across borders with few if any contract terms to protect consumers. Either the web largely works because if more sellers defaulted the who9l;e thing would collapse i.e online trade or there are more problems than meet the eye but these go largely unreported. It is believed, based on research that up to 40% of consumer in the EU not shop online.
In any event, some new EU law on the issue of online trade is only to be welcomed, as long as it can be enforced in practice. The new laws, which must be implemented in member states within 2 years from July, provide that :-
- customers will have the right to return goods within 2 weeks if they change their mind
- car rentals, airline tickets, hotel bookings and goods which have a short shelf life will be exempt
- Goods will need to be delivered to the buyer within 30 days of purchase
- The seller will be legally liable for damage or loss before delivery.
- Consumers must also be given clear information on the goods ordered and the price