websites that say ‘no refunds’ what are your rights

[clarcam]

i have come across ticketing sites that dates ‘no refunds’ on orders. Also sites that sell goods.

that made me hesitant about placing an order.

Firstly I always thought it was illegal for a shop or business to state ‘no refunds’. had that law been changed or doesn’t apply to online traders?

secondly what are my rights if i am not happy with the goods? if i order under the terms of ‘no refunds’ i dont have a leg to stand on? so hard luck?

so doesn’t that give a green light for scammers to trade legally?

Depends on the country I think.

In UK we've got statutory rights if something is faulty etc. And there's the distance selling regs that give people cooling off periods.

It applies even more to online traders. In-person traders, where you have the chance to inspect the goods, don't have to allow returns except in circumstances like when the goods are faulty or not fit for purpose.

Online commercial sellers must provide for a 'cooling-off period' of 14 days where customers are allowed to reject merchandise for a refund. This doesn't apply to a random person selling a few things on Ebay.

I would still be hesitant about buying from such a retailer. While you have these legal rights, clearly this is someone who is pretending otherwise and it will therefore be more difficult for you to make use of your legal rights. Sometimes such retailers might fold if you quote the legislation at them (I have had such success with retailers who did not initially refund me the original shipping charge). They might not. What then? Legal action? You shouldn't have to go to such lengths for a basic refund, so you should take anyone saying up front that they are not going to adhere to the legal protections for customers a massive red flag.

If it's tickets, I wouldn't expect to get refunds, it would very likely be too late for you to return them and for the seller to sell them again, and if you just decided you didn't fancy the event any more no way. And digital content CDs. DVDs that you might have copied no returns.

Also personalised stuff, engraved or printed specifically to order, jewellery that you have might have worn like earrings, no returns. If items are broken that's different.

I would avoid that sort of website like the plague.