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Comment by ryanwaggoner | Hacker News Reader

the "Distance Selling Regulation" means we have the right to cancel many contracts/purchases made not-in-person within 14 days of delivery.

First of all, the Consumer Contracts Directive replaced that in 2014, no?

Second, how exactly would this have protected the buyer? Maybe no restocking fee and only difference between free and basic shipping? In EU, does seller HAVE to pay for return shipping?

Third, you know that "protection" isn't free, right? You're paying for that in terms of higher prices and lost economic opportunities.

Finally, the pro-EU, anti-US condescension laced with pity is so tiresome and ignorant. We get it, things work differently there. Some are better, some worse. It's hardly paradise.

(For the record, I've lived in the US and the EU.)

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Not to mention, not all of the EU is the same. Want to return something in Germany? Forget about it.

Buying from an independent seller on Amazon is similar to buying on eBay. You're taking the risk of not having the customer service that large corporations can afford.

Plus, Amazon customer support will often help out with claims where the seller is in the wrong (e.g. item does not match description).

I don't know in what Germany you are living. But with the former "Fernabsatzgesetz" (now integrated into our BGB) we have the right to return everything we order online within a period of two weeks.

Never had a problem returning anything ordered online. Ok one should nonetheless read the terms before ordering.

Not to mention, not all of the EU is the same.

No, that would be rather dull. But in terms of returning stuff you bought on the Internet, it pretty much is: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Rights_Directive_20...

"The current varying lengths of the withdrawal periods both between the Member States and for distance and off-premises contracts cause legal uncertainty and compliance costs. The same withdrawal period should apply to all distance and off-premises contracts. In the case of service contracts, the withdrawal period should expire after 14 days from the conclusion of the contract. In the case of sales contracts, the withdrawal period should expire after 14 days from the day on which the consumer or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by the consumer, acquires physical possession of the goods."

I have returned things bought from Germany before without problems and I am not even in the same country...

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