Buying something from Germany - what are my rights?

arthurfowler

Hello,

I ordered something online for xmas and even the the website has .co.uk it operates from Germany.

The parcel arrived broken (I sent pictures). I did not sign for it either - it was left behind my bins in front of my house.

Anyway this was two days before Christmas so a replacement would not arrive in time so I had to buy something else. I sent an email asking for a refund and they replied saying they would organise a replacement.

Having tried to contact them over Xmas, I managed to speak to them today and they say under German law they will only send a replacement.

I know UK law states you can have a refund, but what rights do I have to a refund?

I found this on CAB:

If you buy something from the internet website of a company based in another EU member state, in most cases you will have the same statutory rights as if you had bought it from a seller based in the UK.

However I am not sure where i stand. I bought it with a credit card, but it was only £40 so don't think they can help.

Have I any chance to get the money back?

InsideInsurance

What does the website say its return policy is?

wealdroam

arthurfowler wrote: »

I bought it with a credit card, but it was only £40 so don't think they can help.

Reading MSE's Chargeback article might change your mind.

gregg1

arthurfowler wrote: »

Hello,

I ordered something online for xmas and even the the website has .co.uk it operates from Germany.

The parcel arrived broken (I sent pictures). I did not sign for it either - it was left behind my bins in front of my house.

Anyway this was two days before Christmas so a replacement would not arrive in time so I had to buy something else. I sent an email asking for a refund and they replied saying they would organise a replacement.

Having tried to contact them over Xmas, I managed to speak to them today and they say under German law they will only send a replacement.

I know UK law states you can have a refund, but what rights do I have to a refund?

I found this on CAB:

If you buy something from the internet website of a company based in another EU member state, in most cases you will have the same statutory rights as if you had bought it from a seller based in the UK.

However I am not sure where i stand. I bought it with a credit card, but it was only £40 so don't think they can help.

Have I any chance to get the money back?

I am having a problem at the moment also with a company based in Germany. Bought electrical item which arrived with two pin plug which is illegal and it was also damaged. I have now asked bank to arrange a chargeback but they are being difficult about that as it's through Amazon marketplace. Had to go to financial ombudsman who are contacting the bank for me as the company are also refusing refund.

Speak to your bank about chargeback. You may have more luck than me.

neilmcl

gregg1 wrote: »

I am having a problem at the moment also with a company based in Germany. Bought electrical item which arrived with two pin plug which is illegal and it was also damaged. I have now asked bank to arrange a chargeback but they are being difficult about that as it's through Amazon marketplace. Had to go to financial ombudsman who are contacting the bank for me as the company are also refusing refund.

Speak to your bank about chargeback. You may have more luck than me.

Not if buying from a non-UK company it's not.

gregg1

neilmcl wrote: »

Not if buying from a non-UK company it's not.

it is according to Which who have covered this in an article this month and also a Which lawyer who I spoke to today. It is illegal under the Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994 even if the item comes with an adapter and this applies to non UK companies if they are selling to the UK.

bod1467

gregg1 wrote: »

and this applies to non UK companies if they are selling to the UK.

Is the correct answer, from what I remember of my electrical wiring regs training.

Hintza

Gregg you still unable to change a plug?

gregg1

Hintza wrote: »

Gregg you still unable to change a plug?

I am when to do so would invalidate the warranty.

But as I have already stated, the item is damaged anyway.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

And we can still sell dangerous socket extenstions that allow the earth pin to be connected, with the plug reversed! Have we stopped that?

neilmcl

gregg1 wrote: »

it is according to Which who have covered this in an article this month and also a Which lawyer who I spoke to today. It is illegal under the Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994 even if the item comes with an adapter and this applies to non UK companies if they are selling to the UK.

I may have misunderstood. Is this seller advertising for sale in the UK or have you purchased from a German website and effectively importing them yourself? If the latter then the regulations wouldn't apply.

Also, as far as an adapter is concerned I believe it's OK to supply a fully BS1363 compliant "conversion plug", ie, adapter.