The Mail Fraud Laws - Your Rights as a Consumer

This chapter pertains to purchases made through the mail, telephone or Internet. There are laws in place that are specific to these types of purchases that sellers must follow or face federal charges. In the event that you are purchasing an item through the US mail then any fraud committed by that company can be investigated by US Postal inspectors. Today you are more likely to make a purchase by telephone or Internet (which will be shipped UPS or FedEx typically) and those purchases are protected by the Federal Trade Commission laws.

United States Postal Service Mail Fraud Laws
Here's what the US Post Office says about orders you don't receive.

Legitimate businesses appreciate feedback. Check the offer for the delivery time frame, usually 6 to 8 weeks, and then contact the company. Please wait 2 weeks after contacting them before contacting us. When a delivery time is not specified, a Federal Trade Commission rule mandates fulfillment within 30 days, unless you applied for first-time credit with the company.

For more information on compliance rules for businesses, click here to read the Federal Trade Commission Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rules.

Here's the summary of the FTC rule as it is written for sellers:

The Rule requires that when you advertise merchandise, you must have a reasonable basis for stating or implying that you can ship within a certain time. If you make no shipment statement, you must have a reasonable basis for believing that you can ship within 30 days. That is why direct marketers sometimes call this the "30-day Rule."

If, after taking the customer’s order, you learn that you cannot ship within the time you stated or within 30 days, you must seek the customer’s consent to the delayed shipment. If you cannot obtain the customer’s consent to the delay -- either because it is not a situation in which you are permitted to treat the customer’s silence as consent and the customer has not expressly consented to the delay, or because the customer has expressly refused to consent -- you must, without being asked, promptly refund all the money the customer paid you for the unshipped merchandise.

This 30-day rule is why infomercials on television will usually state "allow 6-8 weeks for delivery". By stating a long delivery time they avoid the 30-day rule and fall under a much larger time frame in which to ship your order. If you're having a problem with your order first contact the seller to resolved it. If you cannot get satisfaction from the seller than you can contact one of these government agencies and file a complaint. However the threat of filing a complaint will often get you the satisfaction you are looking for. And if you purchased with a credit card your credit card provider will probably be able to issue a "charge back" to the seller and credit your previous purchase. This is why I always recommend using a credit card for mail order purchases.

Buying Used Car Audio

Videos
     Car Stereo Installation
     Car Alarm Installation
     Advanced Enclosures
     Fiberglass Fabrication
     Fiberglass Fabrication II
Back to School Special

Car Audio Background
     What is Sound
     Cabin Gain
     Kick Panels
     Ohm's Law
     Electronic Components
     Electrical System Upgrades

Car Audio Equipment Info
     Car Audio Head Units
     CD Changers and MP3
     Car Audio Speakers
     Choosing a Subwoofer
     Car Audio Amplifiers
     Signal Processors
     Mobile Video
     Satellite and Digital Radio
     Wiring and Power
     Power Capacitors
     Security Systems
     Exotic Components

Car Audio Planning and Buying
     System Planning
     What Fits Your Car
     Budget Systems
     Sample Systems
     OEM Upgrades
     Spotting Good Equipment
     Equipment Reviews
     Where to Buy New
     Tips for Buying New
     Get the Best Retail Deal
     Free Installation
     Common Scams
     Avoiding Bait and Switch
     Mail Fraud Laws
     Where to Buy Used
     Tips for Buying Used
     More Than You Can Afford
     Buying Wholesale
     Selling Used Audio
     Hidden Costs

Car Audio Installation
     Choosing Installers
     Installation Goodies
     Installation Pictures
     Installations You Can Do
     Ten Car Audio Myths
     Amplifier Installation
     Capacitor Installation
     Vehicle Wiring Diagrams
     Noise Troubleshooting
     Car Stereo Help
     Become an Installer

Car Audio Care
     Keeping Your Stereo Safe
     Car Stereo Insurance
     Making Your Stereo Last
     Car Audio Warranties
     Getting Free Repairs
     Avoiding Noise Violations
     Car Audio Safety
     Car Audio Competitions
     The Future of Car Audio