Is this refund legal

[Dan_164]

Over the weekend I purchased something online for the girlfriend and it was free just pay the postage but I thought fine it's still cheap so ordered and paid then this morning they have cancelled the order and refunded me.

The problem I have is they've refunded it to the account on the site as credit that I can only use on that site is this legal to do, I've read the refund policy and it does say on there that's what they do is that legally binding?


Many thanks
If this is the wrong place sorry in advance

 

[helpstar]

which site is it?

did you contact them for refund to your bank account?

 

[USAFRet]

Over the weekend I purchased something online for the girlfriend and it was free just pay the postage but I thought fine it's still cheap so ordered and paid then this morning they have cancelled the order and refunded me the problem I have is they've refunded it to the account on the site as credit that I can only use on that site is this legal to do, I've read the refund policy and it does say on there that's what they do is that legally binding?


Many thanks
If this is the wrong place sorry in advance

If they informed you, and you 'agreed' to it by purchasing the item. Or the shipping whatever...
Yes, it is probably legal.

(I am not a lawyer. If I were, I am not your lawyer. This is not legal advice)

 

[Dan_164]

I didn't agree to the refund but I guess I agreed to the policy they have

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

It's up to the vendor how they make refunds and the conditions attached to it. You can be sure it'll be in their T & Cs somewhere.
It's not illegal to give refunds as credit which you can only spend at their store - same thing happens in many high-street stores, not just online. As long as that policy is mentioned somewhere in their T & Cs it's all perfectly legal.

 

[helpstar]

depends on the country where the shop is

 

[velocityg4]

Since they cancelled the order without your approval and kept your money. This may constitute conversion and/or fraud. You gave money for an expected good or service and they gave you something completely different. Which is illegal, at least in the US. It would be different if you cancelled the order or returned merchandise.

Document everything you can (you kept the receipt right). Print all receipts and account pages both on paper and as PDF files.
Call your bank or credit card and file a complaint to get the transaction reversed.

File complaints with the Better Business Bureau and FTC. Provide them with documentation (your PDF printouts).
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-6
https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started

If they bother you after you reverse the charges. You could also file a complaint with the FBI for possible fraud. There is nothing wrong with filing a complaint. They will decide if it is something with merit to investigate, if it is their jurisdiction or if they will kick it to the appropriate entity.
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us

Terms and Conditions are not always binding. Companies have to deliver the expected good or service in order to keep your money. T&C won't hold up if they break any laws.

I am not a lawyer. This is just my understanding of the law. These are actions I consider reasonable and would take. Filing complaints isn't just for you. It is also for everyone else this company defrauds.

 

[USAFRet]

"Store credit" is very very common.

http://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/contract_law/furniture_return_refund.htm
http://consumer.findlaw.com/consumer-transactions/customer-returns-and-refund-laws-by-state.html


Plus, this was apparently only the shipping cost, not the actual item.
Plus, if it was only shipping cost...is it enough to go through the BBB, etc?
Plus, they apparently had/have goods he is interested in.

Just buy something else, and apply that money to it.

 

[USAFRet]

Dan_164...how much actual money are we talking about here?

 

[Dan_164]

It was only £2.99

 

[USAFRet]

It was only £2.99

Apply that to some other bit of shiny for your GF.
And just don't go back to that store in the future.