Website Terms of Sale - Sale of Goods on Subscription (B2C)

These E-Commerce Sale of Goods Website Terms of Sale are designed for online retailers selling goods to consumers through an e-commerce website. They are broad enough to cover almost any type of goods sold either on a one-off basis or on an ongoing subscription basis.

An alternative version limited to one-off transactions is available here.

These terms should be used alongside our E-Commerce Sale of Goods Website Terms of Use. The Terms of Use cover use of the website itself, while this template covers the sale and purchase of goods.

Covers one-off sales and subscriptions

This version is designed for businesses supplying goods on an ongoing subscription basis as well as by single transaction.

It includes provisions dealing with:

• future changes to products;
• delays or temporary suspension in delivery;
• recurring customer payments and late payment of instalments;
• customers’ rights to end subscriptions, including early termination.

Explains ordering and cancellation clearly

Using consumer-friendly language, the terms guide customers through the order process and explain how the contract is formed. They also cover goods, pricing, availability, payment, delivery, risk, and ownership.

The terms deal with cancellation both where goods do not comply with the contract and where a customer wishes to cancel under the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Optional goodwill guarantee provisions can also be used to extend that cooling-off period for a period of your choosing.

Important points on subscription terms

The template leaves the duration of subscriptions open, so this should be stated clearly elsewhere on the website and confirmed in the customer’s order details.

It does not provide for long tie-in periods such as a 12-month minimum term. If such restrictions are added, any minimum term, any less restrictive alternatives, and the consequences of being locked in should be clearly explained to customers before they place their orders.

The template also does not include provisions requiring the trader to bear the cost of returning goods where the customer cancels because of a forthcoming change to the products. This is because it is unlikely that goods already delivered would need to be returned simply because future deliveries are to be cancelled.

Also covers wider customer protections

Further provisions deal with liability, events outside the retailer’s control, customer complaints and feedback, contact information, and the use of personal information.

The complaints wording also refers to complaints handling policies and procedures, with related templates available separately.

Website Terms of Sale - Sale of Goods on Subscription (B2C) is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.