However, if you purchase an item through an Internet auction website, you will not necessarily be covered by the same consumer rights that you have if buying from an online retail store, or shopping on the high street. Occasionally, users of Internet auction websites may run into problems regarding the quality, delivery or description of the goods that they have purchased. Internet auction websites can also be susceptible to opportunistic fraudsters. So if you are considering buying from an Internet Auction website, make sure you know what consumer rights are applicable, and how to shop online safely in this way.
Private or Business Seller?
The first fundamental point that you should be aware of is the fact that the Internet auction site is not an online retailer - that is to say that the auction site is effectively acting as just a host to the sellers, much like a paper will print private classified advertisements. This means that the Internet auction site is not responsible for the content of the advertisements placed. Unlike their live auction house counterparts, an online auction site will have no legal obligations in relation to the goods advertised for sale on its website.
You should also be aware that if your seller is based outside of the UK, any consumer rights that you usually have might not be applicable when purchasing overseas. For this reason it's always a good idea to first check the location of the seller so that you can be sure of whether any of your consumer rights are applicable.
When buying or bidding, you'll be purchasing from either a private seller or a registered business seller. It is partly your responsibility to decide whether you feel that the seller is trustworthy and bona fide. This can be done in a number of ways - for a private seller, it is worth checking their feedback, the actual comments left and what contact details have been made available to you. If buying from a private seller, then you should be aware that your consumer rights are effectively relatively limited compared to buying from a business. Private sellers in particular may not always be clear about their terms of sale, and what their returns policy is. If the auction website does not stipulate a general returns policy that sellers must comply with, then you should contact the seller prior the end of auction or purchasing the item, to ascertain their individual terms of sale and returns policy.
Private sellers are, by law, only expected to provide an accurate description ('as described') of the item that they are selling. This means that unlike a business seller, the items don't have to be of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose.
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For non-auction purchases, a business seller is required by law (Distance Selling Regulations and E-Commerce Regulations) to give accurate information about the items that they are selling, as well as providing the consumer with their contact details and a non-PO Box registered business address. The regulation also gives the consumer seven working days to cancel the contract. The consumer will be entitled to a full refund, including the postage and packaging costs, unless stated otherwise prior to the purchase. If the seller has neglected to provide the required information as set out by the Distance Selling Regulations, then the consumer has three months to cancel the contract. However, be aware that these cancellation rights are not always applicable with purchases such as audio and visual products that have been unsealed, software, personalised and tailored items or perishable items.
The E-Commerce Regulations also stipulate that as well as providing registered business contact details, the business seller must also provide clear information regarding any 'hidden' costs such as VAT and other taxes, supplements or delivery costs. They must also inform the consumer of any relative trade organisation that they belong to, as well as the details of authorisation schemes pertinent to their business.
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Complaints
Common problems encountered with Internet auction sites and private sellers include non-delivery, late delivery, or a dispute over the description of the advertised item. Remember that with a business seller, you are covered by the consumer rights as outlined above. However, for private sellers, the auction sites or payment agents such as PayPal have a complaints procedure to deal with such disputes. Quite often a compromise is reached so that both parties are satisfied with the outcome. Should you find that your dispute is not satisfactorily resolved, and that your rights have been abused, then you can try contacting your local Citizen's Advice Bureau or the UK Govt's Consumer Direct line to discuss how to take the matter further.
On the invoice it said Auction Information. Auction: Online timed Date: .... Location: .....
I made payment and arranged a pallet company to collect using the location stated on the invoice, when the pallet company arrived to collect it was the wrong address the auctioneers had put their own local office address under Auction Information. I got charged £30 for failed collection. When I called the auctioneers they said I should have checked with them what the address was and were not going to help out with the £30 fine. Is there any legal way this should be put right as its wrong on the invoice? so I don't loose out on my collection fee and failed collection fee
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When you buy secondhand goods at an auction, you may not be able to get your money back if you find out later that the goods are faulty. You have rights when you buy new goods at an auction.
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Buying secondhand goods at an auction
You should always check the auction's conditions of sale which should be prominently displayed on the property where the auction is taking place or in the sale catalogue. As auctions are treated as "trade sales", it is very important to know the auction's policy on secondhand goods.
For example, the conditions of sale often include words such as "we are not responsible for the authenticity or condition of any item".
However, if you buy second-hand goods at an auction that consumers cannot attend in person, for example from a trader via an online auction, then you still have the protection offered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979.
Auctioneers must not falsely describe or misrepresent goods.
Buying new goods at an auction
Your consumer rights under the Sale of Goods Act when are protected when you buy new goods at an auction.
Find out more about your consumer rights when buying goods and services.
Tips when you go to an auction
If you've never been to an auction before, it's always a good idea to go along and see what happens before you bid at your first auction. When you go again and plan to bid, you should:
read and understand the auction's conditions of sale before you bid
be careful when an auctioneer describes an item as "AF" (as found) or "SAS" (sold as seen) - this could be a warning that there is something wrong with the item
examine the item very closely before you bid
decide on the maximum amount you're prepared to bid and keep to this budget
be aware that fees might be added to your bid as some auctions charge additional fees to which VAT applies
remember that you can't change your mind after the auctioneer's hammer falls
If you have a complaint about an auction
Most auction houses are members of trade bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA) or the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV).
Members will usually display the organisation's logo on their website or documentation.
If you aren't satisfied with the service you got at an auction, complain first to the auction house. Then, if the complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact any trade body they claim to be a member of, as the trade body will usually offer some form of arbitration service.
If you require advice about the auctions in general, contact Consumerline.
The rights that you have when buying at auction will depend upon the type of auction that you use. This can make shopping in this way a little complicated. However, by understanding your rights, you will be able to enjoy your auction experience and with any luck, grab a bargain!
Customers are afforded a number of legal rights when shopping in a variety of settings, and this is set out in the Sale of Goods Act 1979.
The act states that customers can expect that when they buy an item it will match its description, that the quality of the item will be satisfactory and that it will be fit for purpose.
Buying Goods at an Auction
Customers who buy at auction have these rights, whether the item that they are buying is new or secondhand. If the items purchased at auction do not meet these standards, you will be entitled to request a replacement, repair or ask for a refund.
However, the rights afforded to a customer will differ if they were buying a secondhand item in person at an auction. In these cases, the Sale of Goods Act will not apply, as it will be deemed reasonable that the customer will have reviewed the condition of the piece before deciding to purchase. In such situations, the auctioneer will not be obliged to provide a refund or repair, and you as long as it can be demonstrated that you bought the item having had the opportunity to review its state fully, you will not be protected by these rights under the Sale of Goods Act.
The following guide explains your statutory rights when buying at an auction in greater depth. The guide considers what type of sale is classed as an auction, how your purchase can be affected if it is linked to criminal activity and how your rights are maintained for different types of auctions, including online auctions such as eBay.
WHAT IS AN AUCTION?
An auction is a way of buying and selling items through a bidding system. The seller will list and display an item, may add a reserve price (the minimum selling price that they will accept) and buyers will bid to purchase the item. Bids will increase throughout the auction slot, and once all bids have been taken, the highest bidder (the person who has offered the highest price) will win the auction and purchase the item.
TYPES OF AUCTIONS
Any number of items can be sold in an auction environment and to ensure that transactions are safe, effective and enjoyable, a number of different auction types exist. Before an auction begins, there are a number of regulatory and logistical steps that must be completed. This is to ensure that the items sold are legitimate, that customers are informed, that money is handled legally and that all lots are safe and well-advertised.
The auction setting must advertise the auction or the services that they offer, and this is true of direct auctions or online versions. In every instance, the auctioneer's contact details must be visible and available, and the items ava
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