Published: 10 July 2007
OFT is Dab hand at getting fairer terms for online I.T shoppers
Following discussions with the OFT, dabs.com plc (Dabs) has agreed to amend unfair terms and conditions regarding returns and refunds in its consumer contracts.
Dabs supplies computers, software and electronic goods directly to customers in the UK via its website.
The company's old terms and conditions of sale contained a number of terms that the OFT considered unsuitable in a consumer contract, and that raised concerns under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations (UTCCRs) and the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations (DSRs).
The terms and conditions that the OFT wanted Dabs to amend included those that:
- excluded the company's liability for errors in the descriptions of goods
- limited the company's liability for faulty goods sold, by making the consumer pay cost of carriage to return items
- imposed time limits for notifying the company of defects in goods, and
- made refunds under the DSRs conditional on the return of cancelled goods
Following discussions with the OFT, Dabs has agreed to delete or revise its unfair terms, and agreed to introduce terms that are fairer and comply with the UTCCRs and DSRs.
Ray Hall, OFT Director said:
'The OFT welcomes the changes made by Dabs, consumers now have fairer and clearer terms and conditions.
All suppliers that sell to consumers online, by mail order, or telephone must make sure their consumer contracts do not limit the consumer's rights.'
To help distance sales businesses ensure their terms and conditions comply with the relevant regulations, the OFT has published specific guidance which can be downloaded from the OFT website.
Further information
Related article: OFT Report on Internet Shopping
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