Online auction
There are various types of online auctions. Your rights as a purchaser depend on the type of auction and who the seller is. All bids are binding, so make sure you know what you are doing before offering to buy something.
Things to keep in mind
- You do not have any consumer protection when you purchase something online from an individual.
- The same rules apply to an online auction by a business as to any other kind of e-commerce.
Buying from a business
If you buy a product form a business through an online auction, the same rules apply as for any other kind of e-commerce. You have 14 days to cancel the purchase.
You can also file a complaint about a defective product. Sometimes an auction firm sells a product as-seen. But if the product turns out to be in worse shape than the asking price indicated, that is considered to be a defect.
Buying from an individual
Individuals can sell products through online auctions. You do not have any consumer protection when you purchase something online from an individual. For example, you do not have any cancellation rights.
- Source
- Proofread 10 April 2018