NRF and Shop.org agreed that the regulations should include all forms of the Internet available to the public, although they asked that a distinction be made that orders handled through a retailer's internal computer systems – such as a sales associate using an in-store computer to find an item or place an order – not be considered Internet orders even if those systems happen to operate over the Internet.
The FTC is also considering a change that would update the regulations' current list of payment methods – cash, check, money order and credit cards – to include new forms of payment such as debit cards, gift cards and services such as Pay Pal.
NRF and Shop.org supported the proposal but said refunds for debit cards should be handled the same as those for credit cards because retailers frequently cannot distinguish between the two types of cards. Another change would repeal a requirement that refunds be made by first-class mail and instead allow them to be made by a means “at least as fast and reliable as first-class mail,” such as private couriers or electronic transfers.
NRF and Shop.org proposed that retailers be allowed to substitute merchandise of equal or greater value when an out-of-stock situation would prevent an item from being shipped on time, provided that the customer agrees. They also proposed that merchants not be required to promise a definite delivery date on some custom-made or handcrafted products provided that customers are given the option to cancel the order.
National Retail Federation
marketing@alchempro.com
