Online shopping aibu

[BlackbirdFirst]

I do a small amount of online shopping (ahem). AIBU to always insist that if I return the entirety of an order that the merchant refunds me the original postage and packaging?

Quite often they don't do it, or refuse, and I always mention the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013, which says they have to refund the basic P&P of getting the item to me.

Although I'm happy to pay to return it from my house back to them.

AIBU? Some places put up a right fuss!

I think it depends on who you are returning it to. If it’s a larger brand then I can understand why you would request it. For smaller companies I wouldn’t do it. I’m a small business owner and it can be very pricey to send items and it’s not like some of us make profit from the p&p part, the way I look at it is I don’t ask a retail shop for refund for parking when purchasing something and later returning it, so I wouldn’t ask a retailer to do the same, especially a smaller company.

Tight much?

You seem to know that this is legal. Only you can know if this is reasonable, depending on the size of the business and the order.

You say ' often ,' does that mean that you often return whole deliveries?

depends - if you've changed your mind, decided you don't like the colour/bought the wrong size, the whole process costs the retailer - why should they refund the postage and packing?
If they have sent something that's faulty, then it is more reasonable to expect them to refund P&P.

If you;d bought something in a real shop (remember those ) would you ecpect them to refund your bus fare/parking?

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay

depends - if you've changed your mind, decided you don't like the colour/bought the wrong size, the whole process costs the retailer - why should they refund the postage and packing? If they have sent something that's faulty, then it is more reasonable to expect them to refund P&P.

If you;d bought something in a real shop (remember those ) would you ecpect them to refund your bus fare/parking?

I think that's the point- if I bought something in a shop I would be able to handle its quality etc - make a decision based on the item itself and not photos/a brief description.

@BlackbirdFirst
if I bought something in a shop I would be able to handle its quality etc - make a decision based on the item itself and not photos/a brief description

But that’s an advantage of shopping in person. If you do a “small” amount of shopping online then you don’t get that luxury and if you’re a serial returner then perhaps you need to realise online shopping isn’t for you.

I can't understand why you'd often return your entire order? What would lead to that?

think that's the point- if I bought something in a shop I would be able to handle its quality etc - make a decision based on the item itself and not photos/a brief description.

Don't do online shopping, it's not for you!

Pressed send too soon....

If you found an item you "shop" bought was faulty when you got home, would you ask for your parking fee to be refunded as you'd only bought that item and had to return it?

If you're returning on the grounds of the distance selling act you need to state that and go through a different process, it's not the same as a bog standard return.

But the company loses money when you do this. Its costing them money to deliver and return your parcel. Why should they do it for free? I manage to order things I know I'd like with only the odd exception (I'll return it when the product doesnt match the desxription).

Asking a small company to refund your delivery because you've changed your mind is unreasonable.

An entire order might be one thing.
I just stipulated that because if you order two things and return only one, you have to pay both p&p.

An example - I ordered a blanket from a small retailer. It came and the colour wasn't quite right for my room scheme and it seemed scratchy. For £80 I expected something else, nicer. So I returned.

Not sure I'd class that as change of mind, more just making up of mind when I actually see the item and quality. I'll pay to send it back, but will be asking for their initial postage to be refunded.

Online retailers need to take this into account when entering into online retail. If they don't account for the costs associated with this then it's them who isn't suited to online retailing, not the customer.

I understand your point and I agree, you shouldn't be out of pocket. However, online prices are often cheaper and you get far more choice. So I see the P&P as an inevitable cost which is compensated by the above advantages.

Have you any idea how much postage costs a small retailer?
Its your choice to shop online. If you return an order because its faulty, the retailer refunds your order including all postage costs. However, they can tell you the maximum they will refund for return postage, so £3.10 2nd class small parcel. Its your responsibility to make sure the parcel gets back to them so its advisable to send it tracked.
If you return because you've changed your mind, don't like it, shoppers remorse, it's your responsibility to cover all postage and the retailer only has to refund the cost of the goods.

@Sugarplumfairy65

Have you any idea how much postage costs a small retailer? Its your choice to shop online. If you return an order because its faulty, the retailer refunds your order including all postage costs. However, they can tell you the maximum they will refund for return postage, so £3.10 2nd class small parcel. Its your responsibility to make sure the parcel gets back to them so its advisable to send it tracked. If you return because you've changed your mind, don't like it, shoppers remorse, it's your responsibility to cover all postage and the retailer only has to refund the cost of the goods.

Perhaps you think that morally right, but it is factually incorrect. The retailer has to return original basic p&p and he cost of the goods. Consumer contract regulations 2013, part 2.

However, online prices are often cheaper and you get far more choice.

And retailers can offer cheaper prices and more options online because they are not paying for retail premises, so they save as well, which is the reason for having the DSR.