Your online shopping rights

AtlasHarbor Updated: 2025-07-13

Young people shop online quite frequently. Groceries, musical tickets, clothes, and electrical appliances may all be accessed with a simple swipe or click.
Understanding your rights as a customer is crucial when making purchases online. These include the ability to file a complaint, obtain information, and return goods.

1. You're entitled to a reimbursement.

You and the vendor get into a contract when you make an online purchase. There are specific terms in this contract, such as your right to a refund. While some of these conditions are mentioned clearly in the contract, others might be implied by law, corporate policy, or state legislation.
You engage in a distant contract when you make an online purchase. This implies that you are unable to physically inspect the products before making a purchase. Your legal safeguards as a consumer are increased as a result. For instance, if an item doesn't look or function as intended, you can return it within 14 days. We refer to this as the cooling-off period. Additionally, you can request a replacement or repair. Legal action may be necessary if a disagreement with a company cannot be settled.
2. Your right to information is yours.

Purchasing goods like groceries, clothes, and concert tickets online is a terrific idea. However, when you do this, it's critical to understand your rights as a customer.
Online, catalog, and phone purchases are all subject to consumer legislation. Prior to making a purchase, you are entitled to certain information, including concise and comprehensible product descriptions. It is mandatory for businesses to provide you with a copy of the signed contract or order confirmation, either in hard copy or on paper.
Keep in mind that there is typically a physical distance between you and the vendor when you purchase something online. This indicates that purchasing online and in a store differ in a few ways. For instance, the 14-day cooling-off period is not applicable.
3. You are able to return an item.

There are numerous reasons why someone could decide to change their mind after making an online purchase, including purchasing new clothing, scheduling a trip, or subscribing to a service. They should understand, though, that they have a 14-day window in which to legally cancel their purchase. We refer to this as a "cooling-off period."
This covers all purchases made online, through catalogs, over the phone, and at doorstep sales (as long as the purchase is for more than £50). European directives provide additional rights for consumers when making purchases online.
Prior to the client making a payment, the vendor is required to provide this information to them. The details must be comprehensible and obvious. Additionally, the seller needs to deliver it via email or another reliable format.
4. You're entitled to a replacement or repair.

Among young individuals, online shopping is a highly popular hobby. When you shop online, it's crucial to understand your rights as a customer.
For instance, you could wish to request a replacement or refund if you buy something and it doesn't seem or function as planned. This may occur if the product is defective or if you decide to change your mind.
In order to prevent unauthorized repairs (which could result in data breaches or safety problems), proponents of the right to repair contend that manufacturers should be forced to grant independent repair firms access to diagnostics, manuals, and tools. However, businesses worry that granting consumers the ability to fix their products may lead to a rise in product waste. There is still discussion over this matter.
5. If an item is defective, you are entitled to a refund.

If any digital content or defective goods are not as advertised, fit for purpose, or of inadequate quality, you are entitled to a refund. The shop must offer you the choice to have a repair or replacement instead.
Although you can provide evidence of purchase through other channels, such as a bank statement or confirmation email, some merchants will not accept returns without a receipt. Certain things are also covered by the Consumer Rights Act, such as perishable goods and those sealed for health and safety.
These rights apply to customers who make purchases over the phone, via mail, or online. Because no physical contract is signed between you and the seller, these purchases are referred to as "distance selling."