Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site alice.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!mhuxt!mhuxr!ulysses!allegra!alice!ark
From: ark@alice.UucP (Andrew Koenig)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Mail order company, Beware
Message-ID: <4851@alice.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-Jan-86 10:41:25 EST
Article-I.D.: alice.4851
Posted: Tue Jan 21 10:41:25 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 23-Jan-86 08:27:54 EST
References: <14100015@convexs>
Organization: Bell Labs, Murray Hill
Lines: 48

>>			...First: my understanding of applicable Federal
>>laws is that they must have the VCR in your hands by 30 days after they
>>receive your order (January 15, if I count correctly) or they must inform
>>you that they cannot fill the order and give you a way to cancel it
>>at no cost to you (not even postage).
>
>From a recent newspaper article:
>
>It's ninety (90) days, then they must tell you when it is expected to ship,
>and offer you the opportunity to cancel at no cost.  The same information/
>offer must then be made every thirty (30) days thereafter.

From page 92 of the January 1986 Popular Photography magazine:

"Mail order sales are governed by rules of the FTC, various State
laws, and US Postal laws.

For example, for orders made by mail:

1. The Seller must ship your order within 30 days of receiving it,
	unless the advertisement clearly states it'll take longer.

2. If it appears that your order will not be shipped when promised,
	the Seller must notify you in writing in advance of the promised
	date, giving a definite new date, if known, and offering you
	the opportunity to cancel the order with a refund or consent to
	a definite delayed shipping date or an indefinite delay.

3. The Seller's notice must contain a stamped self-addressed card or
	envelope with which you can indicate your preference.  If you
	don't respond to this notice, the Seller may assume you agree
	to the delay, but must ship your order within 30 days of the
	original shipping date promised or required, or the order
	will be automatically cancelled.  A prompt refund must be
	made when an order is cancelled.

4. Even if you've consented to an indefinite delay, you retain the right
	to cancel the order at any time before the item has been shipped.

5. If you choose to cancel an order, that has been paid for by check
	or money order, the Seller must mail you a refund within seven
	business days.  If you cancel an order for which you paid by
	credit card, the Seller must credit your account within one billing
	cycle following receipt of your request.  Store credits or
	vouchers in place of a refund are not acceptable.

6. In the event that the item you ordered is unavailable, the Seller
	may not send you substitute merchandise without your express consent.