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Online shopping is growing in Ireland - but it is still not as
common here as in the US or the UK for example. Some
people still like the idea of going to a shop and buying the goods they
can see. Some people don't feel safe shopping on the internet - but millions
of people use online shops all over the world every day without any problems.
All the shops we link to on this web site are outside of our control.
We have tried to link to reputable shops however we cannot be held responsible
for any problems you may encounter. If you do have problems or complaints
about online shops please read the information below.
Consumer Protection
Goods bought online in Ireland are covered by the
EC (Protection of Consumers in respect of contracts made by means of distance
communication) Regulations 2001 (Statutory Instrument 207 of 2001):
Suppliers are obliged to carry out the contract within 30 days of when
the order was placed unless they have agreed otherwise with the consumer.
If the supplier is unable to uphold its end of the contract, it must inform
the consumer who is then entitled to a refund within 30 days. This entitlement
can be excluded by prior agreement between the supplier and the consumer
in the case of outdoor leisure events.
Where the goods sought by the consumer are unavailable, equivalent goods
may be provided. This can only be done where the consumer has consented
to this arrangement before the contract is made and the consumer is informed
that if he or she decides to withdraw from the contract, then no cost
of returning the equivalent goods can be deducted by the supplier.
Remember, you will still be protected by general consumer legislation
whether you purchase the goods in Ireland or another EU Member State,
i.e., if you buy goods in the UK, you will have the protection of the
Distance Selling Regulations and the UK Sales of Goods Act 1979.
If you have
problems with an Irish web site - you should contact
Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs ,
4 Harcourt Road Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 402 5500 Fax: (01) 402 5501
E-mail: odca@entemp.ie
For EU
based sites - contact
European Consumer Centre
13a O'Connell Street
Dublin 1
Tel: (01) 809 0600 Fax: (01) 809 0601
E-mail: info@eccdublin.ie
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