Buy Your HD TV Online

It is completely possible to debate for hours on end, the pros and cons of ordering items online. So let’s simply cut to the chase and give you one solid reason why you should order online, and in this case a large ticket item: Your new High Definition Television.

I know, most of you reading this for the first time are going to bring into account the issues you have had with receipt of damaged or defective goods in your past, but…there is a specific regulation that comes into your favour if you follow the guidelines.

Distance Selling Regulations 2000 – DSR
This legislation came into effect on 31 October 2000 to give protection to consumers who shop by phone, mail order, via the Internet or digital TV. The most important part of this rule is that you, as a consumer, have a cooling off period of 7 working days in which you can unconditionally “cancel the contract” (i.e. return your television) for no reason whatsoever!

DSR Guidelines
The Cooling Off Period
So you have purchased your new HD TV online, and there is something about it that you just don’t like, perhaps you have accidentally measured incorrectly the space that it was to fit into, and knocking down another wall is out of the question. The timeframe within which you can return your purchase is referred to as the cooling off period: it lasts for seven working days from the day after that on which you received the television. For example, if your HDTV was delivered on November 1st (Thursday), the retailer must receive written notice of your intention to invoke the DSR on or before December 12th of that same year (Monday), as weekends do not count as working days.

It’s Simple
Written Notice
Most businesses will require that in accordance to the DSR speculations, written notice is given in proper advance to legitimize the regulation. To avoid any unnecessary disputes, send cancellations via courier or recorded delivery, although some suppliers may accept e-mail or even telephone cancellations.

Supplier to Consumer Only
Businesses to business contracts are not covered. This includes using your business address as your delivery site.

Internet Auction
The DSR does not apply to eBay auctions unless it is Buy-It-Now only (auctions with BIN are excluded) from a business seller.

Stick to the Major Retailers
You will find that most smaller or independent merchants will honour the DSR without question, but you may run into those who will try to convince you that this is not an option, or make the transaction difficult, so you may experience some grief before you get your money back.

So there you have it…It’s that easy!
It has become completely possible to now shop from the comforts of your own home, with the courtesy of customer satisfaction, and little to no hassles from the retailer of your choice.