Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Sponsored
QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Your Online Shopping Rights?
And the chance to win a €200 One4All voucher.
THE IRRESISTIBLE DRAW of online shopping is obvious – you get to browse literally hundreds of shops around the world, hunting down the best deals and the exact item you want – all from the cosy confines of your bed, if you wish.
But without being able to use our senses to assess the quality of something we’re buying, sometimes what we end up with isn’t what what we had anticipated.
The truth is that EU laws give you strong protection when you buy online, and the Consumer Rights Directive covers you when you buy from business based in the EU, so remember to check the address of businesses you buy from.
Similarly, these rights will only cover you when you buy from businesses, so be careful if you are buying from another consumer, for example on an online auction site.
So, are you fully armed with all your entitlements when you click-to-buy? Find out in our quiz below.
Tweet your results to be entered into a draw to win a €200 One4All voucher (to spend wisely), thanks to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
1. If you buy something online from a business in the EU and it turns out to be faulty, what's the situation with your rights?
Shutterstock
You have more rights if you bought it in-store
You have more rights if you bought it online
Generally, you have the same rights online as in-store
Your rights are up to the individual online store you bought it from
2. If you make an online purchase from a business in the EU, what does the seller have to give you?
Shutterstock
The price, taxes, delivery costs, details of what to do if you change your mind and a cancellation form
Unfortunately, it's up to the seller what they provide
The price, delivery costs and an e-mail and phone number for if things go wrong
Just an address and a return-by-date for if you're not happy with it
3. How do cooling off periods (time allowed to change your mind or return an item) work with online purchases from a business in the EU?
Unsplash
You have 21 days to return from the day that you make the purchase
You have 14 days to cancel an order once you receive it, then 14 days to send it back
You have 30 days from the day that you buy
You can't cancel an order once it's been shipped, unfortunately
4. Which of these are valid reasons to return the item within this time?
Unsplash
Only it's the wrong order or if it's faulty
For any reason
Only if it doesn't fit or if it arrives damaged
Only if it's faulty and you must explain why
5. What about if the item was on sale?
Unsplash
You definitely won't be able to return it
You're only entitled to credit, not a refund
Just like buying in store, your rights don't change when a sale is on
You must do an exchange or take a credit note
6. Where do the online rights outlined above apply?
Unsplash
Around the world
Ireland only
Ireland and the UK
Anywhere within the EU
7. For what kind of sellers do these rights not apply?
Unsplash
If you're buying from another consumer or if the business is from outside the EU
If you're buying from a business outside of Ireland
If the business has no offline store
If you're buying from a vouchers service
8. What other scenarios do these rights cover?
Shutterstock
If you get something delivered but purchase in-store
Only online purchases
If you order something over the phone, mail order catalogue or TV shopping
If you purchase in-store from a place that also has an online store
9. When returning an item, are you entitled to a refund of the original delivery costs?
Unsplash
Yes, for any reason including change of mind (even if you have to pay them initially)
Only if the item is faulty or the order is incorrect
You're not entitled to a refund of postage costs
You're only entitled to a refund of 50% of the postage costs
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You definitely don't realise the extent of your online shopping rights.
Not convinced that returning your digital purchases is worth the effort, no matter what the situation? You might be missing out on what you're entitled to, whether it's on a site or in-store. Tweet your result for a chance to win a €200 One4All voucher thanks to CCPC.
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You may not realise your full online shopping rights.
You're fully aware of the returns policy that you can expect from individual stores, but you may not realise the variety of reasons why you can return something - or what you're entitled to. Tweet your result for a chance to win a €200 One4All voucher thanks to CCPC.
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
You're fully aware of your online shopping rights.
You're not afraid to speak up when you unwrap something that doesn't arrive as advertised. You know that your entitlements shouldn't be compromised just because you're not going in-store. Tweet your result for a chance to win a €200 One4All voucher thanks to CCPC.
Do you think shopping online inevitably brings you less rights than in-store? Actually EU laws give you strong protection when you buy online. Make sure you’re fully up to speed on what you’re entitled to by visiting the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s online shopping section before the next time you click-to-buy.
have your say