Free returns - collect+

[e-rider]

A number of large online sellers including two of the biggest online cycle retailers (Wiggle and CRC) now offer free returns using the collect+ service.

Whilst I welcome this service very much, Collect+ appears to be snail mail at best. Have I just been unlucky or is it always painfully slow? The ability to track the parcel just adds to the frustration as it's possible to watch it move incredibly slowly through the system!!!

 

[Dragonwight]

I guess it beats the other method of paying Royal Mail to return an item and then the retailer refusing to refund the postage on some lame excuse.

 

[e-rider]

I guess it beats the other method of paying Royal Mail to return an item and then the retailer refusing to refund the postage on some lame excuse.

well, for an item weighing less than 1kg I'd defo pay the money next time - perhaps using collect+ for heavier more expensive items saves some money but waiting 1-2 weeks or so for delivery is unacceptable really. Don't forget that the service is being paid for by someone - is it really that much cheaper than Royal Mail to make the poor service worth while?

 

[400bhp]

well, for an item weighing less than 1kg I'd defo pay the money next time - perhaps using collect+ for heavier more expensive items saves some money but waiting 1-2 weeks or so for delivery is unacceptable really. Don't forget that the service is being paid for by someone - is it really that much cheaper than Royal Mail to make the poor service worth while?

from collect + website:

You can track your parcel online to its destination. Parcels typically take 3-5 working days to arrive and your retailer will usually contact you when your return has been processed.

you've been unlucky with delivery time?

 

[GBC]

I guess it beats the other method of paying Royal Mail to return an item and then the retailer refusing to refund the postage on some lame excuse.

I'm not sure of the position in those parts of the UK to the south of Scotland, but here the responsibility for the cost of returning an item, whether faulty or not, lies with the customer.
Buyer beware!

 

[Dragonwight]

I'm not sure of the position in those parts of the UK to the south of Scotland, but here the responsibility for the cost of returning an item, whether faulty or not, lies with the customer.
Buyer beware!

Distance selling regulations apply to the whole of the UK inc Scotland they give you a 7 day cooling off period to notify return of the goods and claim a postage refund for the returned goods if the goods are faulty, not as described etc.

 

[GBC]

Distance selling regulations apply to the whole of the UK inc Scotland they give you a 7 day cooling off period to notify return of the goods and claim a postage refund for the returned goods if the goods are faulty, not as described etc.

I'm happy to stand corrected on the seven day period; it been a year or four since I was involved in retail and never really in distance selling as such. The circumstances that I had in mind were where a customer from another area buys from a shop, takes it home and finds it to be faulty. In that case, it is the customer's responsibility to get the goods back to the shop.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I used collect + a few times, sending stuff from here to England: it always arrived in 5 days.
I only used it for heavy items. Maybe you were just unlucky.

 

[400bhp]

Distance selling regulations apply to the whole of the UK inc Scotland they give you a 7 day cooling off period to notify return of the goods and claim a postage refund for the returned goods if the goods are faulty, not as described etc.

I'm afraid not, you're right on a refund but there are no black & white rules on return postage.

In any ccase, regulations are only as good as enforcement, and from experience there isn't much enforcement.

 

[Dragonwight]

I'm afraid not, you're right on a refund but there are no black & white rules on return postage.

In any ccase, regulations are only as good as enforcement, and from experience there isn't much enforcement.

The rules can certainly get hazy however for faulty goods\not as described the rules have been established for a very long time under the sale of goods act 1979 which basically states a buyer must not be left out of pocket this includes return postage. Personally if an online retailer refused my legal right to a refund I would have no problem dragging them to court and making them pay all the costs.

 

[GBC]

I can't imagine many retailers refusing a refund which you were legally entitled to. My experience though, is that very few people realise just how few rights they have under the sale of goods acts.

 

[400bhp]

The rules can certainly get hazy however for faulty goods\not as described the rules have been established for a very long time under the sale of goods act 1979 which basically states a buyer must not be left out of pocket this includes return postage. Personally if an online retailer refused my legal right to a refund I would have no problem dragging them to court and making them pay all the costs.

If the purchase price is less than a certain amount though is it worth the hassle?