Signing delivery receipts for damaged goods

[Supergem]

Hi all, getting some furniture delivered tomorrow from an online retailer. I won't personally be there to check it over and I noticed this in the firm's T's and C's: "Any damaged or missing items must be noted on your delivery receipt. If not noted we are unable to process (sic) with any replacement products."

Anyone know if this is enforceable?
Wouldn't the Distance Selling Regs or somesuch apply if the items were damaged, regardless of them being signed for?

Defective products seem to have some sort of homing instinct for me at the moment so I'm being particularly wary!

Cheers.

The seller is not legally bound to replace damaged goods although they will usually do so. The law simply requires them to refund your money. You have a cooling off period of 7 working days from delivery of the goods during which you can cancel the order for any reason (I am assuming these are standard items from the retailer's range rather than items made to your specifications or personalised). They cannot take that right away from you.

In these circumstances I always write 'package unchecked' when signing for goods.

I cannot imagine any busy courier waiting for you to unpack and check the contents of more than an envelope!