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I want to return something bought online
High street shops don't have to accept returns unless an item is faulty, but
returns for online purchases are covered by the Consumer Contracts Regulations
2013.
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
When you buy goods online you have additional rights to return them.
This is because your decision may be based on a brief description or a photograph – so what you receive might not be quite what you’d expected.
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges), in most cases you are allowed to return an item ordered online if you simply change your mind.
Online returns timelines
You have the right to cancel at any time from the moment you place your online order, and up to 14 days from the day you receive your goods. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘cooling-off period’.
You need to notify the retailer of your wish to cancel your order within this time period (by email, for example). Many retailers now have dedicated online returns portals where you can notify them that you'd like to return something.
You then have a further 14 days from the date you notify the retailer of your cancellation to return the goods.
You should receive your refund within 14 days of the date you have returned the goods to the retailer or cancelled the service.
Need to know
If you bought an item online from a retailer based overseas, you still have UK consumer rights as a UK-based consumer in principle. However, in practice, it can be hard to enforce these rights and hold the retailer liable if it refuses to cooperate.
Therefore, it's always best to pay via credit card so that you have extra protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Check the retailer's returns window
Many online retailers extend the cancellation period even further, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully as you may have longer to return unwanted items.
However, be aware that if you rely on the online store's more generous timeline for returns, there may be extra conditions you’ll have to stick to if you decide to send the goods back outside of your 14-day right to reject.
If you return your unwanted goods according to the timelines set out by the Consumer Contracts Regulations, there are only a few exemptions to getting a refund.
Exemptions to online returns
There are some circumstances where the Consumer Contracts Regulations won’t give you a right to cancel.
These include CDs, DVDs or software if you've broken the seal on the wrapping, perishable items and tailor-made or personalised items. They also include goods with a seal for health protection and hygiene reasons that's been broken.
Also included are goods that have been mixed inseparably with other items after delivery.
Do I have to pay to return unwanted goods?
You must cover the delivery cost for returning unwanted goods, unless the retailer says it will pay for returns.
Many major retailers now charge you to send items back, while some still offer free returns labels.
We recommend you get proof of postage, just in case the retailer later disputes you've returned your goods.
Proof of postage should be sufficient evidence to prove you returned the goods.
If your goods are faulty, you shouldn't have to pay to return the goods.
Can I get delivery costs refunded?
The following advice applies to you if your online order arrived on time as expected and you’d now like to return it because you no longer want it.
Notify the retailer of your wish to cancel the goods and return them within the returns time period.
After returning the goods, the retailer should refund you the cost of the goods and the standard delivery cost you paid to get the goods sent to you in the first place.
Your refund for the goods and standard delivery cost must be paid within 14 calendar days after returning the goods, or evidence that they were returned.
If the retailer has offered to collect the goods, it should refund you 14 days from the date you informed it you wanted to cancel the contract. So, this means you don't have to wait for the retailer to have collected the goods to get your refund.
I paid extra for special delivery, can I get this cost refunded?
You won’t get your express/dedicated day delivery cost refunded when you return an unwanted item that arrived on time, as this part of the service was performed by the retailer.
If you paid extra for goods to be delivered at a certain time and they arrived later than this and you no longer want them, then you can ask to be refunded the cost of the express/dedicated delivery too.
This is because the retailer didn’t perform that part of the service, which you paid extra for them to do.
If you’re looking to recover costs from the retailer because your goods arrived late or didn’t show up, read our guide on late deliveries for more information.
Can the retailer deduct any money from me?
A deduction can be made if the value of the goods has been reduced as a result of you handling the goods more than was necessary.
This should not be for removal of the packaging to inspect the item but only for damage or wear and tear.
The extent to which you can handle the goods is the same as it would be if you were assessing them in a shop.
Returning faulty goods bought online
If your issue is with a faulty product, or if the item you received doesn't match the description given at the point of purchase, you have additional rights under the Consumer Rights Act.
These rights are the same whether you've bought your item online or in-store.
Any terms and conditions that say you must cover the cost of returning an item don't apply where the goods being returned are faulty.
If you are looking to return your item because it is faulty, read our guide on what to do if you need to return a faulty product.
Should I accept credit notes for returns?
The retailer may have a returns policy stating that it will only give customers a credit note or vouchers for returns.
But if you are returning your online order up to or within the 14 days from the day you received your goods, you're entitled to a refund rather than a credit note under the Consumer Contracts Regulations.
The retailer’s returns policy also can't require customers to take vouchers where an item has been returned due to it being faulty.
The Consumer Rights Act specifies the rights that consumers have if products develop a fault and the seller can’t remove or reduce these.