Right of Withdrawal for Distance Sales for Delft Residents

Right of Withdrawal for Distance Sales in Delft

As a resident of Delft, the right of withdrawal for distance sales gives you the opportunity to cancel a purchase without reason within 14 days after delivery of a product or the start of a service. This applies to orders placed via webshops, telephone, or mail and helps prevent impulsive buys. In this article for Delft residents, we explain the rules, exceptions, and tips, with references to local support such as the Juridisch Loket Delft.

What is a distance sale?

A distance sale is concluded without physical contact between buyer and seller, such as on online platforms like Bol.com, telephone orders, or catalogs. Under Article 6:230j of the Dutch Civil Code (DCC), it involves means of distance communication like the internet or email until the deal is finalized.

Unlike visiting a store in Delft city center, where you can inspect the item, distance sales offer no inspection opportunity – hence the protective right of withdrawal.

Legal basis

The rules are set out in Book 6 DCC, Articles 6:230m to 6:230p, based on the EU Directive 2011/83/EU and in force in the Netherlands since 13 June 2014. The District Court of The Hague handles related disputes for Delft residents.

• Art. 6:230m DCC: Withdrawal possible within the cooling-off period.
• Art. 6:230o DCC: Cooling-off period of 14 days after receipt of product or service start.
• Art. 6:230p DCC: Exceptions without right of withdrawal.

The seller must provide you with a model withdrawal form (Annex I). Missing this? The cooling-off period extends to 12 months plus 14 days. In doubt: consult the Juridisch Loket Delft.

How long is the cooling-off period?

The standard cooling-off period is 14 days, starting the day after delivery or service start. If it expires on a weekend or public holiday? Then until the next working day under Delft municipal rules.

For one order with multiple items: starts after the last delivery. Digital products: from download.

Exceptions

Some sales are excluded, per Article 6:230p DCC. Overview:

Always check the seller's terms.

Exercising the right of withdrawal

Simple: notify unambiguously within 14 days.

1. Contact the seller (email, post, form).
2. Use the model form from the website.
3. Return within 14 days of notification, in original condition; you pay return costs, unless otherwise stated.
4. Seller refunds everything within 14 days (including outbound shipping).

Example: Online dress €50 (+€5 shipping) from webshop. Doesn't fit after 10 days? Email withdrawal, return: €55 refunded.

Rights and obligations

Your rights as a Delft consumer

• Cancel without explanation.
• Full refund including standard shipping.
• Extended period if information is inadequate.

Your obligations

• Return in good condition (deduction for use).
• You pay return shipping (unless free label provided).

Seller's obligations

• Provide information upfront.
• Prompt refund.
• Often free returns.

Real-life cases from Delft

Case 1: Washing machine ordered online. Too noisy: withdrawn within 14 days, seller collects and refunds.

Case 2: App downloaded: no withdrawal possible.

Case 3: Delft holiday home with flexible cancellation: right applies; no-show does not.

At the Juridisch Loket Delft, we often see disputes over return costs – consumers expect everything free, but the law assigns costs to you.

Tips for Delft residents

• Check terms and withdrawal info before buying.
• Keep receipts, emails, tracking codes.
• Film unboxing for valuable items.
• Use the model withdrawal form for clarity.
• Problems? Go to Juridisch Loket Delft or District Court of The Hague.