New consumer rights law comes into force

[Michael Browne]

• New rules come into force today to protect shoppers against rip off fees and hidden charges
  
• Sneaky pre-ticked boxes on websites will be banned
  
• Excessive credit and debit card fees are also outlawed
  

Online shoppers will get 14 days to return goods bought on the web as new consumer rights laws come into effect today.

 

The new rules are part of a package coming into force to protect shoppers against rip off fees, hidden charges and other pitfalls.

 

Shoppers will be able to send something back and get a refund when buying online if something is not quite what they wanted or expected or even if they have simply changed their mind.

 

Those buying music, films and books in digital format can also use the cooling off period for the first time.

 

It means shoppers will be covered at stores such as Amazon and catalogue firms and even eBay where the seller is a retailer rather than an individual.

 

The measures are part of the new EU Consumer Rights Directive, which is being brought in to make families feel more confident about shopping online.

 

Hidden fees and charges will also be banned, with sellers obliged to include any extra amounts before the customer places an order.

 

Sneaky pre-ticked boxes on websites will also be banned for payment linked to additional services, such as travel insurance when buying a holiday or flight. From now on customers should never be forced to actively opt out of any services or add-ons.

 

Retailers will be banned from charging card fees that exceed the actual cost of processing a payment and companies operating a helpline will be banned from charging more than the basic rate for calls.

 

Excessive credit and debit card fees have also been outlawed. This was implemented under UK law last year, but now has the backing of the EU directive as well.

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2656959/Shoppers-14-days-change-minds-return-goods-bought-online-new-consumer-rights-law-comes-force.html#ixzz34WnZUQ7r

 

[SabreSheep]

companies operating a helpline will be banned from charging more than the basic rate for calls.

 

Heres hoping the government dont opt out of this one for their own departments

[Pembroke]

It's a bit more than that though. The new act is actually to replace the Distance Selling Regulations, which by and large were okay just in need of an update to allow for streaming media sales and will make it much harder for the one man bands and other home workers who sell on line either via Ebay, Amazon or their own website to comply with the revised regulations.

 

(I'm not allowed to post links so you will have to google for) "The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013" If you want to see the full extent of it all rather than the rather flighty skim over in that Daily Mail article.