OFT hub outlines retailers' legal duties under distance selling law

An online business resource from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) about the Distance Selling Regulations (DSRs) will give consumers a better understanding of their rights under this law.

Research from the Government's consumer rights organisation shows that many businesses are not fully complying with the Distance Selling Regulations (DSRs), for example they are not giving customers a full refund.

So the Office of Fair Trading has set up the Distance Selling Hub, which outlines retailers' responsibilities under this law when selling goods and services over the internet, telephone, through interactive TV, by text or by mail order.

This includes what goods and services are covered, the ‘cooling off' period and what has to be refunded using practical examples. So the simple guidance that the hub offers will also help shoppers by giving them the information if a dispute about returns arises.

Jason Freeman, the OFT''s director of goods and consumer group, said: "The growth in distance selling - in particular via the internet - is bringing great benefits to consumers and the economy, but also creates new risks.

"Businesses need to check that they are treating their customers fairly so that shoppers trust them and can continue to shop confidently. We know most traders want to comply with the rules and the development of this hub is designed to help them stay on the right side of the law."

The DSR hub is the second online resource about consumer law that the OFT has set up. In September last year Computeractive reported on the launch of the Sale of Goods Act Hub.

The Sale of Goods Act Hub is designed to help retailers comply with this law, but with resources that give shoppers clear advice and information.

It also offers practical examples, such as showing the right to reject faulty goods and a quiz. This Sale of Goods Act quiz includes cases where many retailers and customers may get confused about the rights offered under the Sale of Goods Act.

Both hubs are part of the ongoing work being carried out by the OFT to get retailers to focus on compliance with these laws. The OFT said it had worked closely with major retailers on developing the resources.

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