Direct Mail Sales On The Web

The FTC’s Mail and Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/mailorder/index.htm) applies to merchandise orders placed on the Internet. The Rule sets forth requirements for making promises about shipments, notifying customers about delays, and setting refund policies.

1. “Selling on the Internet: Prompt Delivery Rules,” http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/intbalrt.htm;
2. FTC v. Auctionsaver, LLC, http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/05/internetauctionfraud.htm (companies that auctioned computer products on Web sites but allegedly failed to deliver merchandise that consumers paid for were charged with violating the Mail and Telephone Order Merchandise Rule).