Money
Getting the best deal
Online shopping goes through the roof
Almost half the UK adult population shops over the internet and spends more than £20 billion a year doing so. But many of us do not know our rights
The Office of Fair Trading points out that people shopping online have greater rights than if they shopped on the high street, as anything bought online can be returned within seven days for a full refund.
In a shop you have to show that something was wrong with what you bought. Online you can just change your mind, as long as you do it within a week.
You also have the right to know exactly who or what company you are dealing with. The OFT found that many retailers were unaware that online customers could cancel a deal.
Many other online retailers who did know the law did not make these rights clear on their websites or provide an easy email or telephone contact to enable customers to complain.
* For more information see the Office of Fair Trading website at www.oft.gov.uk or Trading Standards Central at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
