Consumer Contracts Regulations query

Pmarmalade

I purchased an item online that differed greatly from expectations based on 3rd party reviews of a US product, which it transpires differs from the UK version.

The company claim to return it I need to pay a 15% restocking regardless of the fact I haven't used it, which of course is against UK regulations.

They are US based but:

• they have a UK section to their website
• the product ships from the UK
• I paid in GBP (no currency conversion)
• they have a UK telephone number listed
• they claim 'UK office' but no UK address given on the website or paperwork

Are they subject to the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations?

If they deduct this from my refund can I raise it with the credit card company I paid with to reclaim it?

unholyangel

Pmarmalade wrote: »

I purchased an item online that differed greatly from expectations based on 3rd party reviews of a US product, which it transpires differs from the UK version.

The company claim to return it I need to pay a 15% restocking regardless of the fact I haven't used it, which of course is against UK regulations.

They are US based but:

• they have a UK section to their website
• the product ships from the UK
• I paid in GBP (no currency conversion)
• they have a UK telephone number listed
• they claim 'UK office' but no UK address given on the website or paperwork

Are they subject to the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations?

If they deduct this from my refund can I raise it with the credit card company I paid with to reclaim it?

It doesnt sound like they are a uk business in any way shape or form so no, CCRs would not apply.

A section 75 claim only gives you the same rights against the card company as the retailer - so if US law permits them to make a deduction, its unlikely a section 75 claim would get you that money back.

Them shipping from the UK doesnt mean much - for example amazon use a loophole in the system - by employing a third party company called amazon uk ltd. Amazon uk ltd do not sell any goods. The company that does sell the goods (amazon eu sarl) are based in luxembourg and do not have any employees or warehouses in the UK.