Online Orders and the CPA

[TheGiven]

Hi All,

I am hoping to find some advice here...

I ordered some electronic equipment off a local website just shy of a month ago.
The product needed to be ordered in form USA and I was told of a lengthy delivery bubble which
went all the way up to the 19th of November, which I accepted.
The delivery is now over a week late.
At first they told me product had been out of stock (told me this on the 19th) and that it had been shipped the
day prior (a sunday) to their american offices.
Suddenly the next day they tell me its at customs in SA (impossible but okay).
Now a week later its apparently still at customs and they have stopped responding to my emails.

I enquired about a refund, which they said I could do, however they say they would take out the cost of shipping,
handling and customs in both directions.

Does the CPA in some way cover me and allow me to get my money back?

I paid on a credit card, would there be a way to reverse the charge?

Thanks in advance.

 

[HPFM]

Yeah you could request a reversal from the Credit Card company, as you have not received the item. You would then need to also inform the company you are cancelling the order.

What website was this from?

Sounds like more of a scam setup... hence the delays whilst they wait for the credit card funds to clear

 

[TheGiven]

Well when I say credit card, I mean cheque card. So the funds would have been pretty much instant.

Its a well known local site. Prefer not to name them right now.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Well when I say credit card, I mean cheque card. So the funds would have been pretty much instant.

Its a well known local site. Prefer not to name them right now.

Name and shame - why be the nice guy when they aren't and from my understanding of the CPA, they are wrong.

 

[HPFM]

if they are a legit site, then it shouldnt be an issue.

Online purchases arent really well covered in the CPA, but covered in Section 44 of the Electronic Communications Act, which allows you to cancel and request a refund with no "fees" payable by yourself

 

[HPFM]

http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=68060

 

[za1]

Well when I say credit card, I mean cheque card. So the funds would have been pretty much instant.

Its a well known local site. Prefer not to name them right now.

of course you can cancel your card if you haven't received the goods.
I had to reverse charges with the same site, similar story, so I assume its the same people, had no problem with the bank.