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Can online retailers change a credit card order without notification?

by manchuwok, Window Shopper

  • Created: May 3, 2010, 1:09 pm
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3 comments

I'm wondering if an online retailer is legally allowed to change  the contents on an online credit card order without notification. Even if it just means removing items from the order.

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teamextension | Contributor | 5/3/2010 - 2:10 pm

Without notifying who exactly?
Professional Web Site: http://www.teamextension.com

manchuwok | Window Shopper | 5/3/2010 - 2:29 pm

Show Replied Text…
Without notifying who exactly?
Without notifying the customer. For example: The customer places and authorizes an order containing A, B, and C. The credit card payment is made. The vendor realizes it doesn't have C, and issues a refund for the amount of C, but doesn't notify the customer that he will now be receiving only A and B (granted at the correct cost, since the price of C was refunded). Is this legal?

NicoleD | Former Moderator | 5/4/2010 - 9:50 am

According to the Federal Trade Commission website: By law, you must have a reasonable basis for stating that a product can be shipped within a certain time. If your advertising doesn't clearly and prominently state the shipment period, you must have a reasonable basis for believing that you can ship within 30 days. If you can't ship within the promised time (or within 30 days if you made no promise), you must notify the customer of the delay, provide a revised shipment date and explain his right to cancel and get a full and prompt refund. For definite delays of up to 30 days, you may treat the customer's silence as agreeing to the delay. But for longer or indefinite delays - and second and subsequent delays - you must get the customer's written, electronic or verbal consent to the delay. If the customer doesn't give you his okay, you must promptly refund all the money the customer paid you without being asked by the customer. Finally, you have the right to cancel orders that you can't fill in a timely manner, but you must promptly notify the customer of your decision and make a prompt refund. Read more at FTC.gov - Selling on the Internet: Prompt Delivery Rules