06. What if I buy by phone, mail order or over the internet?

In general, the laws that apply to buying things in shops also apply when you buy by mail order or over the internet.

The Distance Selling Directive gives you extra protection when buying from any European Union country:

• by mail order;  
• by fax;  
• over the phone;  
• over the internet; or  
• through a TV shopping channel.

However, it doesn't cover auctions (including internet auctions), or buying from countries outside the European Union, such as Switzerland or America.

These regulations mean you must be given certain information before you buy. This includes:

• the name and address of the supplier;  
• the price, including tax and delivery charges; and  
• information about your right to cancel an order.

You must also be given:

• in most cases, a 'cooling-off period' of seven working days (which means you can cancel your order, without having to pay anything, within seven working days); and  
• protection against fraudulent use of your credit card details.

The Regulations don't cover everything you might buy. Holidays and financial services (loans and investments, for example) are two such things. These are covered by their own separate rules.