Under certain circumstances, you are given the right to cancel over a specific period of time. This is referred to as your cooling off period and the duration of this period depends on what you bought and the manner in which you bought it. The following are situations in which the cooling off period applies. Buying online from shops or suppliers. The purchase of goods and services over the internet, by phone or by mail order generally is subject to the Distance Selling Regulations. One of the most important implications of these regulations is a cooling off period of 7days during which you have the right to cancel. You must provide notice of cancellation in writing and it must be posted to, left at, faxed or emailed to the business address of the supplier, and you must ensure this is done no later than 7 working days after receipt of goods. Contracts for financial products sold by distance means are subject to different rules, see below for more on this. Something else worth mentioning is that the supplier must have sent you written confirmation of your order no later than the time of delivery of the product or performance of the service. If they did not, then your 7 day cooling off period will not begin until they do, and may be extended by a further 3months. If you have commissioned a service under a distance selling contract and the work begins before the end of the 7 days cancellation period, then you must give up your right to cancel, but this must be clearly communicated and with your express agreement. Does the right to cancel apply for all goods bought by mail order There are obvious exceptions and you will not have the right to cancel with the purchase of the following goods Goods made to a personalised specification. Perishable goods, such as foodstuffs and flowers. Audiovideo recordings or software where the seal has been broken. Newspapers, magazines or other reading material not booksGaming, betting, lotteries. Online License Check In Nepali. Buying from a doorstep seller. If you have bought something costing more than 3. Doorstep selling Regulations or to give it its proper title The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumers Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2. These regulations give you a cooling off period of 7 calendar days during which time you have the right to cancel and get a full refund. Just as with the Distance Selling Regulations, you must have been provided with a notice of your cancellation rights, otherwise the agreement may be legally unenforceable. Buying away from the traders normal place of business. You may also invoke your 7 day cancellation rights for items over 3. HQ or shop. This may include any of the following Your place of work. A trade fair. A one day fair such as a wedding fair or a marketing presentation such as overseas propertyIt is also the case even when contracts are concluded at a later date, back at the traders shop or office the fact that you have made your offer away from here is the important thing. Timeshare agreements. There have been numerous problems to do with consumers who have signed contracts while under pressure from sales reps in the UK or as a result of a free holiday provided by the company. For this reason, the Timeshare Act 1. UK. If you sign abroad you will be subject to local laws, although most European member states have a cooling off period of 1. Check before you sign, although the company must provide you with the same notification of your rights as doorstep sellers. Credit Agreements. You will only benefit from a cooling off period if the credit agreement was made in one of the following ways For agreements signed away from the creditors normal business premises i. For agreements made at a distance online, by phone or by postFor agreements which fall under 1, you will have a cooling off period of 5 days,which begins from the time you receive the second copy of the agreement containing the cancellation form. For contracts which fall under 2 and 3, you benefit from a 1. Unlike the cooling off period for goods bought under the Distance Selling Regulations DSRs, the creditor may make a reasonable charge for any service such as insurance cover which was operating during this time. There are specific guidelines on how you should cancel the contract, which must be notified to you by the creditor before or immediately after the contract is made. If the creditor does not make this information available to you, then your cooling off period will not begin until this happens. Financial products and services. Financial products including banking, credit, insurance, personal pensions and investments, sold by distance means are subject to a 1. This includes renewals for insurance where the agreement has been sent by post. This 1. 4 day cooling off period also covers situations where you bought a financial product from an intermediary or a broker, even if it was discussed and signed face to face. You must be sure to follow correct procedure for cancellation see below. The insurer or broker must refund any monies paid by you within 3. If you have any related credit agreements, these will also be cancelled. Extended warranties. These are effectively insurance policies and have a 4. Any cancellation after this time will entitle you to a pro rata refund. See our guide to extended warranties for more in depth information. The correct procedure. With any contract or sale which is concluded away from the traders normal business premise, you must be sure you have been presented with clear written notice of your right to cancel, at or before the time the contract is made. If you have not, the contract is legally unenforceable. This notice, which cannot be in the form of small print, or otherwise disguised, must also provide a cancellation form and advise you on how and to whom a notice of cancellation is to be made. You can use the cancellation form provided or a simple written notice, as long as it is clear of your intentions. And as long as you have posted your notice of cancellation before the end of the cancellation period, it doesnt matter when it is actually received. For this reason, it is always advisable to send it recorded delivery. Refunds. The supplier must reimburse you within 3. If you have any related credit agreements, these will also be cancelled. Technology and Science News ABC News.