Critical online shopping advice by Wendy Knowler
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Seeing is believing - but seeing on a computer screen can be tricky
When buying goods on line you always run the risk of being unpleasantly surprised when they are delivered.
Going by photos and descriptions can never come close to being able to see and interact with a product physically.
That’s why you get a “cooling off” period in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act when you buy something online.
That means you have a week, from date of delivery, to change your mind and send it back (at your expense, if the company chooses not to absorb that cost) for a refund.
It doesn’t have to be defective in any way, and legally you don’t have to provide a reason - you just say, within 7 days, that you don’t want it.
You don’t have that “out” when you buy something in a shop. Only if it breaks in some way, within 6 months of purchase, through no fault of yours, do you have the right to return it for a refund - or replacement or repair; your choice.
Tessa bought a few items from Weylandts Umhlanga recently - including a table, which was discounted in price to around R10 000 due to scratches.
She was happy with all the items when they were delivered to her, except for the table - it was smaller than she’d thought it would be.
Turns out the table wasn’t in the store the day she’d bought it - the store assistant showed it to her online.
ssentially an online one.
Take a listen to this lesson learnt
When buying goods on line you always run the risk of being unpleasantly surprised when they are delivered.
Going by photos and descriptions can never come close to being able to see and interact with a product physically.
That’s why you get a “cooling off” period in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act when you buy something online.
That means you have a week, from date of delivery, to change your mind and send it back (at your expense, if the company chooses not to absorb that cost) for a refund.
It doesn’t have to be defective in any way, and legally you don’t have to provide a reason - you just say, within 7 days, that you don’t want it.
You don’t have that “out” when you buy something in a shop. Only if it breaks in some way, within 6 months of purchase, through no fault of yours, do you have the right to return it for a refund - or replacement or repair; your choice.
Tessa bought a few items from Weylandts Umhlanga recently - including a table, which was discounted in price to around R10 000 due to scratches.
She was happy with all the items when they were delivered to her, except for the table - it was smaller than she’d thought it would be.
Turns out the table wasn’t in the store the day she’d bought it - the store assistant showed it to her online.
ssentially an online one.
Take a listen to this lesson learnt