What if goods don't arrive for Christmas

MSE_Martin

What can you do if goods don't arrive?

There are a few different scenarios

1. In shops/high street.

If you ordered goods and either you or the shop (via a notice) specified that they would arrive in time for Christmas - then failure is a breach of contract and you are entitled to your cash back.

However of course there is a question of 'proof'.  A good idea is to note it down on the receipt or get a confirmation that it will arrive in time.

If it doesn't, then you of course can still dispute it - you could take the retailer to the small claims court.  You only need to prove on a balance of probability that it was in time for Christmas.

However if there was no discussion of this, you just expected it, well there's little you can do.

2. The Internet/Mail order

While in general the rights are the same as above, actually there's a secret weapon for things bought on the net or mail order.

It's called the 'distance selling regulations' and it means that you have a right to send goods back within seven days of receiving them without reason.  That's it - just say - i don't want it and you get a full refund.

So if somethng arrives after Christmas you can send it back.

For more info see the full Consumer Rights article

Murtle

Thanks for this Martin, I am still waiting for some goods as someplaces seem to be sending them out randomly at the moment...Boots springs to mind ::) or is that just cause I have a few orders outstanding at the moment.

smashed

Or do my secret weapon.
Say you order a DVD ... and it hasnt arrived, I would go to woolworths, asda etc... and buy it there also. THen give that present.
And when my internet DVD arrives, I would take it back with my receipt to the high street, and get my full refund
Sorry if this is classified as illegal martin ???

Ticklemouse

Problem with doing that with dvd's/cd's is that shops now exclude them in their return policy. Only found out about this as last time I was at a refund desk in Asda's the man next to me was trying to return a dvd (unopened I'm sure) and the assistant was saying they can't take them back. I think she was saying that these goods are now excluded from return in all shops now. I'm sure someone can clarify this.

MSE_Martin

Taking goods back to shops

This is explained in the full consumer rights guide, but generally it is important to remember you have NO RIGHTS to take goods back to shops just because you don't want them (if they're faulty its different).

Of course many shops (e.g M&S) do operate a full refund returns policy, yet this is voluntary and not a legal right in any way. Often in the sales some rejig this policy.

One other thing to remember, even if you do have the 'right to return', if you bought goods pre-sale and try and take them back in the sale, do ensure you have the original receipt or it is likely you will only be given the sales price.

martin

Pink.

When I've been buying dvd's from Tesco's I've asked about exchange, they usually say no, but when I explain that it's a gift, they take the reciept, write 'gift' on it, and say that they will change it.

Pink

nickp8

I had this happen to me last year. Ordered my presents for my family from Tchibo and they were meant to be delivered a week before Christmas but didnt come till after the new year.

They didn't even apologise or offer any form of compensation!

Havent bought from them since.

N9eav

I have always had problems trying to get the postage refunded. Either the cost sent to me or the cost to return.  Tried this with Studio once and it was cheaper to keep the good than lose £12 postage.  Needless to say I stay well clear of studio stuff.  

Can you always guarantee that FREE postage is available for returns??

fairydust

Just spent ages looking for this thread!

I've just placed an order on cd wow. Their website says today is last day for xmas delivery.

I called them up (to check my order had gone through - had problems with page loading. It had) and checked with the girl on the phone, to ensure delivery before xmas. She said it isn't guaranteed (even thought the website said today is last day)

Any ideas? I have kept the order, as I want it, (too good a price not to have) but should it say that on the website?

Many thanks in advance

George_Bray

And what if Xmas cards don't arrive in time for Christmas? OK, I know I should have written them all weeks ago but... I took a batch to the Royal Mail sorting office tonight (Monday), to catch the last collection, scheduled for 6.30pm. Only four more delivery days to go.

At just before 6.25pm I put my cards through the hole in the sorting office wall, where you can see the collection bag in the room behind. I now realise that my cards and some other folks cards, went into a new bag. A postman had just removed the 'full' bag. As he came out of the door, I remembered I had two more cards in my pocket, so I put those into the 'full' bag as he held it. Only afterwards did I realise that the majority of my cards will almost certainly not leave until tomorrow morning.

If the Royal Mail state a last collection time of 6.30pm, they should not cut and run 5 minutes early. My watch is very accurate so I know it was definitely 6.25pm.

Together with a significant amount of misdelivered mail, parcels left on the paving slabs outside, and other problems, I simply hate the Royal Mail.

Regards
George

pepemia

It probably should not say pre christmas delivery but then again they will have all their clauses to get out off it. Cd wow do brilliant prices but are painfully slow at delivering I just had to wait 3 weeks on a dvd that was in stock and should have take 5 days( according to them). Im afraid its a case of good savings but only if you are not in a hurry.
Unfortunately Blah have let me down with a christmas present I ordered two weeks ago. I ordered a xbox game for £12.99 ( 19.99 in shops ) but no sign of it( although they said in stock). So im off to buy it tomorrow- no point saying santa never got you your pressie this year cos i was trying to save £7.00 !!!
Its a sickner really...