Foreign suppliers - is there any way to get a refund?

Ergates

Okell said:

Ergates said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Ergates said:

JAS137 said:

Firstly, why are foreign companies allowed to have a ".co UK" website.

The agency that controls web domains is not the UK government - there is no law that could determine who is (and who isn't) allowed to have which domains, nor is there any government agency that could enforce such a law.

But Nominet themselves can define rules and apply them... like they do with .ltd.uk/.plc.uk, .net.uk and .sch.uk which are restricted to companies with the identical name, ISP and schools respectively.

They also dont control some second levels like .mod.uk and .mil.uk both of which are managed by the Ministry of Defence  so government agencies can control them if they want. 

Before Nominet .UK was controlled by a naming committee and whilst it was under its control the rule was domains had to match a company's name and a company could only own one meaning that B&Q couldn't operate under DIY.co.uk as they do these days. 

Those are Nominet's own internal rules though, they're not laws and they're not legally enforceable.

Surely the only way they wouldn't be legally enforceable would be if they were contrary to some other law or legal doctrine?

I worded that badly.  I meant that there is no law enforcement agency behind the rules to enforce them.  i.e.  Nobody goes to prison if the rules are not adhered to.

pinkshoes

JAS137 said:

I don't think it should be legal though.  I didn't realise that any company can have one.  

Contact details was only an email address.

What is the "who is" website checker?

For future reference, when buying online:

1. Check that the website lists a contact address and ideally a landlines phone number. If its just an email or a form to fill in then don't order!

2. Google the Web address followed by the word "reviews" to see what others have said. Trustpilot will give a good overview.

3. Use something like whois.com to look up the website and see when it was registered.

I'd accept the offer of a bigger size as you're not gonna get a refund here! You can then leave reviews for others to let them know your experience.

born_again

Also google address given on maps. 
Gives you a idea if a drop shipper.

Pollycat

And check the 'returns' information.

Lots of ways to spot a non-uk website.