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ARTICLE · 07 OCTOBER 2014

FTC Amends Mail Or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
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Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

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The Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule requires sellers to have a reasonable basis for stating they can ship ordered items to consumers within the time specified.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Terri Seligman
Terri Seligman
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The FTC recently issued final amendments to the Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (also known as "the 30 Day Rule"), which requires sellers to have a reasonable basis for stating  they can ship ordered items to consumers within the time specified or if no time is specified, within 30 days. The Rule also requires that, if the promised shipping time cannot be met, the seller must obtain the buyer's consent to a shipping delay or must refund payment for the unshipped merchandise. The Rule was issued in 1975 and the FTC sought public comments in 2007, and proposed amendments in 2011. The big news is that the Rule, which had previously applied to mail and telephone orders, has now been clarified to apply to all online orders as well. Other amendments:

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