Trading Standards investigation into retail web sites
Perth & Kinross Trading Standards Service has been carrying out a survey of local internet retailers to ensure they are complying with current trading legislation.
Over the last 12 months Trading Standards have been monitoring and checking locally based web sites, selling all types of consumer goods and services, to check for compliance with current trading legislation, with particular emphasis on the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.
Nearly 80 web sites have been checked, of which only 11 (14%) were fully compliant upon first inspection. A further 22 (27.5%) are now compliant after receiving advice and assistance from Trading Standards. Six web sites ceased trading after being contacted.
The owners of the remaining websites have been contacted by Trading Standards and appropriate enforcement action is being undertaken to ensure full compliance.
The local survey followed a national audit conducted by the Office of Fair Trading, which identified significant non-compliance with trading law by online retailers. This resulted in the national survey, which Perth and Kinross Trading Standards were involved in.
The national results suggest that most large online retailers are complying with key consumer protection requirements.
Briefly, the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations were introduced in 2000 to increase consumer confidence in purchasing at a distance and gives consumers increased rights when compared to purchasing from high street retailers - in a shop consumers can examine the goods before they decide to purchase them. When purchasing at a distance the first time the consumer can examine the goods is when they are delivered. The Regulations give consumers time to examine the goods and return them if they decide they do not wish to keep them.
Essentially the Regulations provide consumers with a right to:
- Receive clear information about the supplier, the goods and the sale before committing to the purchase
- Confirmation in writing
- A cooling off period of seven working days in which to unconditionally cancel the contract
- Protection from payment card fraud
Community Safety Convener, Councillor Willie Robertson, said: "It is important that all consumers who buy goods from websites are aware of their rights. It is also equally important that all web retailers are aware of their responsibilities and carry them out.
"If any consumers or retailers have any queries about online sales then our Trading Standards Service will be happy to offer them advice and guidance."
To contact our Trading Standards Service please telephone 01738 476476, and ask for Trading Standards.
