Online retailers advised to wise up their websites

Some online retailers in Bridgend County Borough need to improve the way they sell their goods to internet shoppers, according to BCBC’s Trading Standards team.

A recent survey carried out by the department found a number of local online businesses failed to provide customers with sufficient information on their right to cancel orders and also needed to significantly update their terms and conditions.

The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 provide consumers with the right to cancel orders within seven working days of receiving the goods. But some of the websites tested failed to provide this information to potential customers, whilst others applied restocking fees to cancelled purchases, which were potentially unfair and misleading to online shoppers.

Other websites did not provide geographical addresses, whilst 40 per cent of those businesses surveyed did not provide a valid email address, which is a requirement of the Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002.

Trading Standards officers are now working with the businesses concerned to advise them on how they can be fully compliant in the future.

Councillor David Sage, Deputy Leader of BCBC and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “We have many good, honest online retailers within the borough who trade in a fair way, however it is important for us to remind all businesses of their obligations to consumers as sometimes there can be slip-ups or misinterpretation of what is required.

“As a purchaser of goods online, you are entitled to know where the business you are buying from is based, and should be able to communicate with that business via email if necessary.”

Senior Fair Trading Officer, Ellis Roberts, added: “Some of the retailers we audited did not have any terms and conditions and no information relating to a buyer’s right to cancel an order. Although this is an issue right across the UK, we want to ensure that our local businesses are as transparent as possible when trading, especially with the continued growth of internet shopping in the UK, which is higher than any other EU country.”

Businesses in Bridgend County Borough can always seek advice and guidance from Trading Standards by calling 01656 64347 or emailing publicprotection@bridgend.gov.uk.

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