Changes to distance selling regulations that could effect your online store

Important changes in government regulations that may effect your ecommerce store.

It may have passed you by but there are some changes you will have to consider from the 13th June when running your web store in the UK.

The distance selling regulations are being superseded by the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The main points you will want to look at are:

1. A consumer now has the right to cancel an order from the moment it is placed until 14 days after it has been delivered. Check the regulations for full details as there are exceptions to this, but in most cases the rule applies.
   
2. Digital content. The consumer should expressly waive their cancellation rights to gain immediate access to digital content. If they don't then they should wait 14 days after the order has been placed before they can get access to download it.
3. Goods should be despatched in the timeframe specified at purchase or 'without undue delay'. There are no specifics on what this means but it will be no more than 30 days.
4. The conditions of the goods are wholly the sellers responsibility until it has been delivered to the consumer (or by someone they have nominated such as a neighbour). If your courier is likely to leave an order with a neighbour then make sure you have this written into your T&C's and your customer knows this.
5. Any charges you would apply for the consumer cancelling an order should be easily available at the point of purchase (such as a restocking fee).
6. All costs including tax, delivery and packaging should be made available at the point of purchase.
7. Pre ticked boxes. You should not pre tick any options if that options adds a cost to the order. The consumer should 'opt in' to these add ons. For example if a product has an extended warranty the option for this warranty will not be pre-selected.

The above are the highlights but as a store owner I would encourage you to check out the full set of regulations (link below). The act is there to help consumers have a more positive and safe buying experience and as they are law why not embrace them and even promote them - you could be advertising a 14 day no quibble money back guarantee on your store - you have to have it anyway!

Most of the above changes can be done within you Magento content management system but you may wish to consult with your web developer to ensure all the criteria is met.

Further Reading:

Which - Consumer Contracts Regulations Summary

UK Government Department for Business, Innovations and Skills - Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013