Know your rights: Shopping online refunds

I bought something online. Can I change my mind and get a refund even though it’s not faulty?

You are not automatically entitled to a refund when
returning an item you bought in a shop because you have simply changed your
mind. If there is nothing wrong with the item (for example, there isn’t a
fault) then you have no legal right to return the goods.

The situation is different for purchases made online. When you buy online you are entering into a contract called a distance contract. With this type of contract, you do not enter the contract in person and you cannot check the products before you buy. Because of this, you have additional protections under EU law.

Your cancellation
rights

Under the Consumer Rights Directive, you have 14 calendar
days to change your mind without having to give a reason. This right to cancel
is also known as the ‘cooling-off period’.

For products bought online, your right to cancel the order starts
the moment you receive the product. You have 14 days to tell the seller you
want to cancel and then a further 14 days to return the item. You may have to
pay for the cost of returning the item.

Right to a refund with 14 days of cancellation

You must be refunded within 14 days of
cancellation, including standard delivery costs. A seller may not process the
refund until they have proof that goods have been sent back.

Does
my right to cancel apply to all online purchases?

The cooling-off period does not apply to
certain purchases. Examples are personalised products or leisure services such
as hotel bookings, car rental or concert tickets.

The Consumer Rights Directive does not apply:

• If you buy something online from a trader who is
  based outside the EU, for example you buy an item from a Chinese website
• To consumer-to-consumer deals, that is where you buy from a private
  individual

Brexit and buying online from a UK
business

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020 and is now
in a transition period while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements.  If you are buying online from a UK trader,
your consumer rights remain the same during the transition period (until 31
December 2020).

You can find out more on your consumer rights by visiting citizensinformation.ie.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

From July, a limited number of appointments are being made in Citizens Information Centres offices where social distancing can be facilitated. You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.