How to Obey Distance Selling Regulations
Decide if the distance selling regulations (DSRs) apply to your business., Check the exceptions., Understand your responsibilities., If the customer does not like an item, they are often responsible for the cost of returning the item to the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide if the distance selling regulations (DSRs) apply to your business.
If you sell anything to a customer who has not physically examined the item, but has seen pictures in a catalogue, been sold an item by telephone or has purchased it from a website, then the distance selling regulations apply to you. -
Step 2: Check the exceptions.
DSRs do not apply to auctions, such as you might find on eBay, unless the listing is "Buy It Now".
Additionally, the DSRs do not apply to items that are personalised, custom-made or perishable, such as flowers. , The DSRs clearly state that a customer is entitled to a full refund for any reason if they notify the business within seven working days of receiving their package.
The item does not need to be faulty.
If the customer wishes to return the item, then the business is legally bound to give a full refund, including any postage that the customer may have paid. , It is essential that the business makes this condition clear in their policies. ,, Most customers will not attempt to return such items in the current climate of blood borne disease, but should they request a full refund the business is legally obliged to give it.
The pierced item can not be sold as new once it is returned, and should it be contaminated and sold again, the business will be liable.
This part of the law is (as of 2011) under review in the European Courts, but amendments are unlikely to be verified before
2014. ,, If this information is absent from your site, you may find yourself explaining this lack to Trading Standards or other legal bodies. , The best way to keep your customers happy and abide by the distance selling regulations is to print out your policies and business details, and include them in the dispatched parcel.
This will help ensure your customer has all the information about their rights that they need. , -
Step 3: Understand your responsibilities.
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Step 4: If the customer does not like an item
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Step 5: they are often responsible for the cost of returning the item to the business.
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Step 6: Should an item be faulty
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Step 7: then the business must offer a full refund
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Step 8: including all postage costs to return the item to the business
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Step 9: or a replacement
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Step 10: whichever the customer prefers.
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Step 11: As the law stands
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Step 12: this also applies to pierced jewellery
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Step 13: even if it has been tried on and placed through a piercing hole.
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Step 14: Build your site with distance selling regulations in mind: to abide by the DSRs
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Step 15: you must provide the full name
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Step 16: physical address (no PO Boxes) and email address of your trading company so that it is easy to contact you.
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Step 17: Additionally
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Step 18: you must adequately describe the goods or services you are selling
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Step 19: clearly indicate your prices including relevant taxes
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Step 20: explain your payment and delivery arrangements
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Step 21: as well as your returns policies.
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Step 22: Placing this information on your website is a good first step
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Step 23: but all details must also be provided in a durable format
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Step 24: such as email or on printed paper.
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Step 25: By studying the literature on Distance Selling Regulations with care
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Step 26: you can make sure that your distance selling business is abiding by the law and giving your customers the best possible service.
Detailed Guide
If you sell anything to a customer who has not physically examined the item, but has seen pictures in a catalogue, been sold an item by telephone or has purchased it from a website, then the distance selling regulations apply to you.
DSRs do not apply to auctions, such as you might find on eBay, unless the listing is "Buy It Now".
Additionally, the DSRs do not apply to items that are personalised, custom-made or perishable, such as flowers. , The DSRs clearly state that a customer is entitled to a full refund for any reason if they notify the business within seven working days of receiving their package.
The item does not need to be faulty.
If the customer wishes to return the item, then the business is legally bound to give a full refund, including any postage that the customer may have paid. , It is essential that the business makes this condition clear in their policies. ,, Most customers will not attempt to return such items in the current climate of blood borne disease, but should they request a full refund the business is legally obliged to give it.
The pierced item can not be sold as new once it is returned, and should it be contaminated and sold again, the business will be liable.
This part of the law is (as of 2011) under review in the European Courts, but amendments are unlikely to be verified before
2014. ,, If this information is absent from your site, you may find yourself explaining this lack to Trading Standards or other legal bodies. , The best way to keep your customers happy and abide by the distance selling regulations is to print out your policies and business details, and include them in the dispatched parcel.
This will help ensure your customer has all the information about their rights that they need. ,
About the Author
Amanda Flores
Committed to making creative arts accessible and understandable for everyone.
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