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10/03/2010
Shoppers Unlikely To Return Online Goods
Almost two-thirds of UK consumers are less likely to return goods they buy online, compared to those they buy on the high street, according to the Department of Business.
This is despite an extra right to a seven-day cooling-off period for online goods.
UK consumers are now ranked as the biggest online shoppers in Europe, having spent £38bn online in 2009 which accounts for 10% of total UK retail sales.
The survey for the ‘Know Your Consumer Rights’ campaign revealed more than 60% of shoppers are unlikely to return goods purchased online, compared to goods purchased in shops.
Three quarters (77%) of UK consumers said they did not know there are differences between online and high street consumer rights.
More than one in 10 (13%) admitted to not being sure of their consumer rights with online purchases.
Consumer Minister, Kevin Brennan, said: "There has been a huge revolution in how people buy goods. We are now Europe’s biggest online shoppers, so it’s important we all know that most online goods can be returned with no questions asked within seven days.
"We want confident consumers who can assert their rights and get a good deal."
Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct, the government-funded advice service, added: "We want consumers to be more confident when shopping on the high street or online. People who are knowledgeable about their rights are more likely to get a fair deal, save money and resolve problems when things go wrong."
(PR/GK)
This is despite an extra right to a seven-day cooling-off period for online goods.
UK consumers are now ranked as the biggest online shoppers in Europe, having spent £38bn online in 2009 which accounts for 10% of total UK retail sales.
The survey for the ‘Know Your Consumer Rights’ campaign revealed more than 60% of shoppers are unlikely to return goods purchased online, compared to goods purchased in shops.
Three quarters (77%) of UK consumers said they did not know there are differences between online and high street consumer rights.
More than one in 10 (13%) admitted to not being sure of their consumer rights with online purchases.
Consumer Minister, Kevin Brennan, said: "There has been a huge revolution in how people buy goods. We are now Europe’s biggest online shoppers, so it’s important we all know that most online goods can be returned with no questions asked within seven days.
"We want confident consumers who can assert their rights and get a good deal."
Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct, the government-funded advice service, added: "We want consumers to be more confident when shopping on the high street or online. People who are knowledgeable about their rights are more likely to get a fair deal, save money and resolve problems when things go wrong."
(PR/GK)
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2,000 Fraud Sites Taken Off-Line
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Court rules against online booze and cigarettes purchase
The European Court of Justice has ruled against allowing consumers to purchase alcohol and cigarettes online from other countries to avoid paying UK tax. European judges ruled that customers wishing to take advantage of cheaper goods from other countries would need to bring the goods back themselves.
Court rules against online booze and cigarettes purchase
The European Court of Justice has ruled against allowing consumers to purchase alcohol and cigarettes online from other countries to avoid paying UK tax. European judges ruled that customers wishing to take advantage of cheaper goods from other countries would need to bring the goods back themselves.
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