When buying a product remotely, that is, not being able to visually inspect it, touch it, try it on, the buyer always runs the risk of not getting what he expects. It is more difficult to return or exchange such goods than those purchased in the usual way, since the manufacturer and the seller are, as a rule, far from the buyer. However, the law makes it possible for the consumer to protect their interests in such situations.
Remote purchase and sale involves the purchase of goods from catalogs, via the Internet or teleshopping and other similar methods. Information on how to return or exchange the goods must be communicated to the buyer in writing at the time the goods are handed over to him.
The Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" establishes that the buyer can refuse from the goods purchased remotely at any time before its transfer or within 7 days after the transfer. At the same time, if the seller did not inform the buyer in writing of the procedure and terms for returning the goods, then the buyer can refuse it within 3 months from the date of its receipt.
The reasons for the return of the goods do not matter, that is, it can be simply the desire of the buyer, and not the shortcomings identified in the product. But the following applies to the return conditions:
- the presentation and consumer properties of the goods have been preserved;
- the product is not an individually defined thing and can be used by an indefinite circle of consumers;
- the seller returns the money paid by the buyer, however, he can deduct the shipping costs from these funds.
It is better to make a request for the return of goods in writing, in order to make it easier to count the 10-day deadline for its fulfillment.
If at the time of receipt of the goods or in the future, the buyer discovers defects in the goods, he can exercise his rights established by Art. 18 of the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" and declare a claim for return, exchange, compensation for losses, price reduction, etc.
