Consumer law help - England

[handslikecowstits]

I placed an order on a website which told me the item was in stock. After a week, I chased the company to be told that someone bought the last one just before I placed my order. The company says they're waiting for more stock.

My question is this: how long can they keep my money for before I can ask for a refund? What does the law say on this? I don't think I can get the item anywhere else but it's not essential to my life. Ideally, I'd just like a refund.

Have you asked for a refund?
How did you pay?
If they don't agree to a refund then you could do a chargeback through your card provider (if you paid by card)

Did you get a delivery date when you ordered the item?

There are template letters here…
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/if-something-you-ordered-hasnt-been-delivered/

I haven't asked for a refund yet. I want to be prepared for a negative answer when I do though. Forewarned is forearmed etc.
I paid via PayPal.

You can request a refund anytime until 14 days after you receive it. Email them and request that the order be cancelled. You should receive a full refund.

Thanks all. It's hard to explain but I just have a feeling that they're going to be awkward so I'm getting ready as it were. 😊

Just ask them to refund you immediately. They have to refund you. If they don't you can claim the money back from PayPal. Don't overthink it.