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I ordered something through the mail and was billed for it, but I have not received it yet. What can I do?

Last Updated: February 29, 2008

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The Mail Or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule requires that when businesses advertise merchandise, they must have a reasonable basis for stating or implying that they can ship within a certain time. If there is no shipment statement, a consumer assumes shipment within 30 days. That is why direct marketers sometimes call this the "30-Day Rule."

If a business learns, after taking the customer’s order, that it cannot ship within the time stated or within 30 days, the consumer has a right to a prompt refund of all the money the customer paid for the unshipped merchandise.

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