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When you order something by mail, phone, fax or computer, the Federal Trade
Commission requires the company to:
- Ship the merchandise within the time promised, or if no specific delivery time
was stated, within 30 days of receiving your order
- Notify you if the shipment cannot be made on time and give you the choice of
waiting longer or getting a refund.
- Cancel your order and return your payment if the new shipping date cannot be met,
unless you agree to another delay
If you cancel, your money must be refunded within 7 days (or your account must be
credited within one billing cycle if you charged the order). The company can't
substitute a store credit. If you applied for a charge account with the merchant
at the same time that you placed your order, the company has an extra 20 days to
ship the merchandise to allow time for processing your application.
These FTC rules only apply to the first shipment of magazine subscriptions or other
merchandise that you receive repeatedly. Orders for services (for example, photo
finishing), sale of seeds and growing plants, collect-on-delivery (C.O.D.) orders,
and transactions such as books and music clubs are covered by a different FTC rule.
There could also be laws or regulations in your state that apply. Report suspected
violations to your state or local consumer protection agency and to the FTC.
| Beware: Youth Peddling
Some for-profit companies use young salespersons to sell magazines and other
items door-to-door. They trick consumers into believing they are collecting
money for legitimate charities because consumers tend to support young persons
and youth programs. If a young person solicits you, ask for identification
verifying the organization's name, address and purpose. If the representative
can't provide this information, ask him or her to leave. Report suspicious
people to your local police department and/or contact the child labor division
of your state labor department listed in the phone book. Even if you are
satisfied with the information provided, don't feel pressured to make a
purchase or contribute.
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