Several questions re-returns & charges.

midjet666

Hi all, I have a few questions regarding returns and charges on credit accounts. They are-

1) I have bought some poor quality towels from 24studio and I paid £4.99 delivery and now have to pay to return them too. I wasn't aware of this, but I have nearly £40 worth to return (Egyptian cotton and they're dreadful!) I had other items in with the order that I kept. Do I get any postage refund?

2) I've been googling trying to find out, and found back in 2010 that Next broke postage refund rules, if I went back and checked through them, do you think I'd be able to be credited as I bought A LOT of items at the time! (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10560466 )

3) I've had a few late payment charges on Littlewoods, some from years ago, and 1 in the past 6 months. Could I get refunded for them?

4) I've bought items from Marisota and due to poor health haven't returned them in the 14 day period (assuming I had 28 days like Littlewoods) each item has had £3 charge and I've paid postage even though items weren't kept. Could any of the charges/postage be refunded?

5) What are the distance selling rules now regarding postage? I've found a lot from 2010/2011 but nothing recently.

Thank you for taking your time to read this and reply. And yes, I know I'm a terrible time keeper and manager of money, please don't berate me as I'm trying to change all of this.

Fosterdog

midjet666 wrote: »

Hi all, I have a few questions regarding returns and charges on credit accounts. They are-

1) I have bought some poor quality towels from 24studio and I paid £4.99 delivery and now have to pay to return them too. I wasn't aware of this, but I have nearly £40 worth to return (Egyptian cotton and they're dreadful!) I had other items in with the order that I kept. Do I get any postage refund? You only get the postage refund if you returned the entire order

2) I've been googling trying to find out, and found back in 2010 that Next broke postage refund rules, if I went back and checked through them, do you think I'd be able to be credited as I bought A LOT of items at the time! (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10560466 ) You'd have to speak to Next, as it was 6 years ago you are either out of time to chase this up or almost out of time.

3) I've had a few late payment charges on Littlewoods, some from years ago, and 1 in the past 6 months. Could I get refunded for them? Not if you made late payments, by using the credit facilities you agree to the terms including any reasonable charges for late payment.

4) I've bought items from Marisota and due to poor health haven't returned them in the 14 day period (assuming I had 28 days like Littlewoods) each item has had £3 charge and I've paid postage even though items weren't kept. Could any of the charges/postage be refunded? Unlikely as you are outside the returns period

5) What are the distance selling rules now regarding postage? I've found a lot from 2010/2011 but nothing recently. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/429300/bis-13-1368-consumer-contracts-information-cancellation-and-additional-payments-regulations-guidance.pdf

Thank you for taking your time to read this and reply. And yes, I know I'm a terrible time keeper and manager of money, please don't berate me as I'm trying to change all of this.

Responded to each point in red

unholyangel

1) it depends. If you paid one delivery cost for the entire order and aren't returning the entire order then they don't need to refund the delivery cost. However, if you paid per item, then they should refund the delivery costs on the items returned.

If the goods are really really bad quality, you should be able to argue that they are liable for the return postage costs under the consumer rights act.

2) Unlikely for a myriad of reasons.

3) Were the payments late? If so, why would you expect a refund of late payment fees?

4) See answer 1

5) The new regulations are the Consumer Contract (Information, Cancellation & Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. The rules are more or less the same. The retailer must reimburse charges for delivery, unless you chose a service over their basic service (like next day delivery) in which case you should be refunded the amount for basic postage but they are allowed to keep the difference.

midjet666

Thank you both for replying and helping, I really appreciate it. I know I shouldn't expect money back for my own mistakes, but at the moment it's a case of any little helps (I have mental health problems and am in a lot of debt because of this. I don't want to write it off, I want to pay it back, but just struggling.)

Thank you again xxx

unholyangel

midjet666 wrote: »

Thank you both for replying and helping, I really appreciate it. I know I shouldn't expect money back for my own mistakes, but at the moment it's a case of any little helps (I have mental health problems and am in a lot of debt because of this. I don't want to write it off, I want to pay it back, but just struggling.)

Thank you again xxx

If you're receiving any kind of social care, it may be worth addressing your concerns with them. If you're still able to function yourself but are struggling, there are free debt advisers who will go through all the available options to you and help you figure out what you can afford budget wise also.

If you haven't already, start getting used to internet banking - it can help you keep on top of your finances a lot better as you can check them daily if need be until you get a better grasp on them.

Mental health problems and debt go hand in hand usually with one feeding the other. You're not alone in that. It can help to recognise your triggers/weaknesses though. Whether thats buying to make yourself feel better, buying things you don't really need, thinking you have more money left than you do/forgetting about bills etc.

You might benefit from the debt free wannabe board also. Good luck!