At thegreenlist.nl we also like to help sustainable entrepreneurial Netherlands move forward with our ‘Work & Enterprise’ section. We previously shared legal tips and then we already briefly touched upon the importance of a transparent shipping and returns policy. In this article, we go into that in a bit more detail. What should be in your shipping and return policy? Together with Renate Verstraaten of You and Me Legal, we go through all the important points.
This is what your sustainable webshop's shipping and returns policy says
How do you proceed after someone places an order? Which parcel service(s) do you work with? What is the expected delivery time? Which countries do you ship to? What are the shipping costs? What are the rules for returns and how can you return or cancel a purchase? How can buyers get in touch with you? If you have a cool (sustainable) webshop and deliver to consumers, these are the questions you need to ask yourself.
Renate: ‘If someone buys something from you, your customer has 14 days to change their mind. This means that he or she may return the purchased product and you will refund the money, regardless of the reason. As a merchant, you are obliged to make sure your customers know they have this right and that they know how you proceed after placing an order. All information about the purchase and return process should be listed on your website, on a dedicated page that is easy for your customers to find. If a customer returns something within the return period, as a shop owner you are obliged to refund the full purchase amount, including any shipping costs. As a shop owner, you must also bear the return costs, unless you have indicated in the shipping and return policy that this is to be borne by the buyer’.’
Renate Verstraaten, lawyer.
Sustainable tip for webshop owners
Many sustainable entrepreneurs with a webshop have stated on their website that, for the sake of the environment, they go to the post office a maximum of three times a week and that shipping is therefore not always next-day, unless you indicate that your purchase is urgent. That way you reduce the number of trips. Even better, if possible, do the shipping by bike. For thegreenlist.nl I have a very handy pannier that holds a lot of books fitting in.
Selling digital products in your webshop
Do you sell a digital product or service to which a buyer has immediate access after purchase and do not want to be bound by the right of return? If so, you must ask explicit permission for direct delivery in advance and state that the buyer waives the right of return,‘ Renate explains further. The right of return also lapses with custom-made products, unless something went wrong during production and the goods were not delivered as ordered. As a seller, you are obliged to clearly state what the cooling-off period is. If you don't do this or it is unclear, the buyer may use a longer cooling-off period up to sometimes up to one year.’
Want to know more about this? Then check out the website consuwijzer.nl on reflection time or contact Renate Verstraaten of You and Me Legal.
Need more tips and help?
Maybe you have been doing business for a while, or maybe your initiative is still in its infancy. Either way, with the guide for starting entrepreneurs, we would like to help you on your way with the administrative side, so you can do what you do best: make your idea a success! Because say it yourself, it's a nice idea when the administrative basics are all in order. With the help of this guide, you will have everything you need to organise your company's bookkeeping properly, learn good habits and, as a bonus, we will also share with you how you can do business a little more consciously. We got you!
For 13.50 euros, you have this lifesaver directly to your inbox and so on your tablet or mobile phone! Order the guide for start-ups in our webshop!
More legal tip from thegreenlist.nl
- You can read all about copyright and portrait rights here.
- This is what you need to know about registering your brand.
- We listed everything: legal tips from entrepreneurs.
Photo credits main image: Cottonbro (Pexels).
