ecomerce and distant selling?


Hopefully someone can enlighten on the legal status. Searches made so
far haven't been clear!


Q. If you place an order to an online retailler, who then cancels the
order because they claim its no longer available or incorrect price
(in this example - they've claimed both!), how long can they keep the
money that they have taken from your credit or debit card?

The company in question is empire direct. They were selling a laptop
shown as reduced from £699 to £499. The price and spec were good for
what it was, but nothing out of the ordinary to suggest incorrect
pricing. Anyway, lots of people placed an order, only to receive an
email saying its out of stock and no more will become available, or
one saying it was incorreclty priced.

Now, I thought that having taken the money, they were legally tied
into a contract. (Getting anything enforced is clearly another
matter.) But what is particularly alarming is the fact they are saying
they have 28 days to return the money as per their T&Cs. I know this
is legal, when it is YOU that has cancelled, but surely not when it is
them?

Can anyone shed any light - or post a URL that clarifies this
position? Its not me thats been affected BTW - just a concerned
potential punter! I'd just like to know the true legal status of this.
It is certainly unfair, especially as it seems to imply companies can
legally borrow £xxx from you free of charge without anything you can
do about it!
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: So you say that you dont like George Bushs war...
    ... "Weren't") that money seized during the embargo comprised "most of the ... That was incorrect. ... So you're saying that the US spends more an the reconstruction, ...
    (alt.smokers.cigars)
  • Re: Secret password for hiring a plumber?
    ... >All I am saying is that you will generally pay too much for someone else ... >done trying to convince people they can save money if they want. ... a pro will be doing that. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Extreme waste in the KyTC
    ... but that money is responsible for opening up roads to Frankfort, Inez, ... Somthing else you missed Princey. ... the KyTC website, or the Dist websites. ... what you are doing is jsut saying go to their website..t.hey have 12 ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: RO Index Digitisation project terminated!
    ... no good fudging and saying that is inhumane, ... large sums wasted by Government in the past and currently. ... There is no more money in the pot. ... If you want it spent ...
    (soc.genealogy.britain)
  • Re: Another Bama Cost Saving
    ... Almost like saying get rid of airbags because so few people are ... not enough money to pay for the House bill. ... because of the healthcare bill. ...
    (rec.boats)