The ReadMe sticky - any additions, changes, updates needed?

squeaky

somethingcorporate wrote: »

I have made this point before and I think it is an error in another part of the FAQ but I think "completion" in the above sentence should be "formation". Completing a contract is when both parties provide their consideration (goods and cash exchanged) and all is done and dusted.

Formation is when agreement to provide consideration is made (Offer and acceptance).

I am by no means an expert so maybe ask one of the resident lawyers to have a peek.

Agreed - formation would be better - I'll edit the post.

Thanks

squeaky

FAQ updates...


The FAQ on shops selling at advertised prices, contributed by mo786uk has been updated - primarily to make it easier to read with a "bullet point" introduction.

Does a shop have to sell at the advertised price?



I've added some links for help when shopping abroad...

Shopping abroad - help with finding consumer advice and aid.

(if anyone knows of other (or better) links, do please let me know)

squeaky

FAQ updates...

Now includes links to the Delivery article and discussion threads: See the [post=41506542]Read Me post #2[/post]

Failed delivery - Fight back.

It's enough to make you growl: you've been told you need to be in for a pre-arranged delivery or service installation – sometimes taking a day off work – then you wait in all day and they're hours late, or don't turn up at all.

Yet you can fight back if you know your rights. You may even be able to force compensation for the lost time. The aim here is to be reasonable, but with our often rotten delivery culture, we need to start to make them understand there could be consequences when they fail to, er ... deliver.

Discussion threads:

Main discussion thread: Delivery Rights discussion thread.

Amazon specific thread: Delivery Rights: Amazon

squeaky

Refunds on items later sold in sales.... suggested FAQ entry...

halibut2209 wrote: »

How's this?

I bought an item, and now it is on sale. Can I get a refund of the difference?

Whilst you have no statutory right to a refund, there are situations where you might be able to get the difference back.

1) If you bought the item online, you may still be covered under the Distance Selling Regulations. You can return it by notifying the company within 7 workings days, beginning the day after receipt of the goods. Be aware, not all goods are covered by these regulations, and you may be liable for the return postage. You can then reorder the goods at the reduced price. Of course, the best course of action here is to contact the company and simply ask nicely for the difference as it saves hassle for both you and them

2) If you bought the goods instore, you are at the mercy of either their returns policy or their goodwill. If the store has a no-quibble returns policy then simply return them, get a refund and rebuy at the new cost. Again, it's worth asking them first to save unnecessary hassle. But be aware that the store can refuse to sell you the goods for a second time (though in practice that is very unlikely)

So remember, you have no legal right to the difference. You bought the goods at a price you agreed was fair. But depending on the store's terms and conditions, there might be a workaround. The best advice is once you've bought an item, stop checking the price!

Any tweaks needed before adding it?

Esqui

Under point one, it might be worth clarifying "you may be liable for return postage" by saying that you are if they mention it in their T&Cs.

I have a suggestion on something else to add - rights where a shop goes into administration. The recent news around Peacocks gave several threads saying "I bought this, and now they won't honour their returns policy" or "They won't let me use my gift vouchers", so something like this would be a huge benefit.

squeaky

Sometimes we see that the Original Post (OP) in a thread is one huge block of text. This makes it difficult to pick out pertinent points and to give sensible advice. We don't need long posts, particularly posts where the Original Poster (OP) is "deeply upset" or "horrified at the company response" - we don't need to know that you are upset; we need to be able to find the facts of the case.

Long posts mean that some readers will skip it and so the OP will probably receive only a few replies.

In order to give accurate advice we just need the basic details. Answers to these questions-

• What did you buy?
• When did you buy it?
• What went wrong?
• Where from? (internet or in store - it DOES make a difference)
• How did you pay? (cash/cheque/debit card/credit card etc)
• What are the vendors telling you?

This section was generated by Valli in the following thread: Comet Must Be Stopped in [post=51100813]Post #22[/post]

Anything to add or tweak?


EDIT: Perhaps closing with something like...

Posting on forums, or writing to companies, to state how upset or unsatisfied you are does not help in anyway to work out what the problems are and what solutions to offer - they merely cloud the issue. Companies know that you are probably upset - they might even be interested and sympathetic; but much more likely is their desire to get to the root of the problem quickly and efficiently and dealt with as expediently as possible. Presentation of the basic facts of your case in as orderly a manner as possible really helps things along towards getting the kind of result / help that you need.

EDIT #2

Perhaps add a bullet point

• What solution or remedy are you looking for?

Valli

I like that, Squeaky. Maybe add that the OPs options might be repair, refund, replace?

(Sorry - visitor arrived)

also I like the last paragraph too.

squeaky

Thanks

Hmm... the R/R/R options are mentioned in other FAQs - erm... aha! Add this bit to the extra bullet point I've suggested in Edit #2

squeaky

Question to everyone...

Is this (when complete) worth being made a sticky - or just add it into the ReadMe?

Sometimes we see that the Original Post (OP) in a thread is one huge block of text. This makes it difficult to pick out pertinent points and to give sensible advice. We don't need long posts, particularly posts where the Original Poster (OP) is "deeply upset" or "horrified at the company response" - we don't need to know that you are upset; we need to be able to find the facts of the case.

Long posts mean that some readers will skip it and so the OP will probably receive only a few replies.

In order to give accurate advice we just need the basic details. Answers to these questions-

• What did you buy?
• When did you buy it?
• What went wrong?
• Where from? (internet or in store - it DOES make a difference)
• How did you pay? (cash/cheque/debit card/credit card etc)
• What are the vendors telling you?
• What solution or remedy are you looking for? (Companies may Repair / Refund / Replace)

See also:

• The thread Tips on negotiating with companies
• The MSE article Consumer Rights: "Give me my money back!"[/

This section was generated by Valli in the following thread: Comet Must Be Stopped in [post=51100813]Post #22[/post]

Posting on forums, or writing to companies, to state how upset or unsatisfied you are does not help in anyway to work out what the problems are and what solutions to offer - they merely cloud the issue. Companies know that you are probably upset - they might even be interested and sympathetic; but much more likely is their desire to get to the root of the problem quickly and efficiently and dealt with as expediently as possible. Presentation of the basic facts of your case in as orderly a manner as possible really helps things along towards getting the kind of result / help that you need.

.

squeaky

Hi all,

The link that we used to have at the OFT website which pointed members to help with Letter Before Action and Small Claims procedure has been removed. (The link Letter Before Action & Small Claims procedure no longer works.)

The best options so far available appear to be...

Help with Letter Before Action: https://consumer-tools.direct.gov.uk...before_action/

Help with Small Claims: MSE Article - Consumer Rights: "How to complain"


I'll update the ReadMe sticky when I'm sure that we've sourced the best links available.

I've made this a sticky for the moment, just to flag it for attention, but will move it into the suggestions thread later.

Thanks to wealdroam for pointing this out, and for sourcing links