Shopping online is becoming more and more common among the French. Moreover, according to FEVAD figures, online sales exceeded 129 billion euros in 2022. Purchasing on the internet is a simple, fast and effective solution. But it is not without risks! Indeed, if you made a purchase on a whim or if you validated the purchase, without having checked the amount beforehand, this can become problematic. Faced with this case, a question then arises: how to cancel an online payment? The steps may put some people off. And yet it is not in the realm of the impossible!
Errors are more common when shopping online than when shopping in a physical store. Unfortunately, money-related issues can be scary. How do I withdraw after an online purchase?
You should know that a purchase by credit card, on the internet, is an irrevocable act. But you can find cancellation measures framed by law, to avoid problems and abuse. Except that according to these measures, a voluntary and lawful purchase does not give you the right to cancel the payment.
According to the rules governing purchases on the Internet, an online payment is effective immediately! It is therefore not possible to go back, especially if the transaction in question has been authorized by your bank. Going on the internet will save you time, but the speed offered by the internet can also cause you harm.
The answer to this question is, therefore, no. You cannot cancel your payments on the internet. However, there are solutions that can help you. However, you must take situations on a case-by-case basis.
It is not possible to cancel a legal payment by credit card, on the internet. On the other hand, you have the possibility of playing other cards, including your right of withdrawal. Here is all the information you need to know about it:
Do you regret ordering online? How can you cancel it? If you are the source of the error, the first thing to do is request a cancellation from your merchant. Indeed, to succeed, an amicable settlement is generally the most advisable procedure. Unfortunately, you should know that when the payment is validated, the merchant is not legally bound to cancel or refund your purchase. You must therefore rely on his good will to succeed. Another solution is also to return your item, with a view to receiving a refund.
Do you know the 14 day rule? When you make a purchase on the internet or by correspondence, you have a right of withdrawal of 14 days! This right is valid throughout the European Union, regardless of the country in which the seller is located. The seller then has 30 days to make the refund. Generally, the right of withdrawal and the conditions applied can be consulted on the website. Either way, here’s how you can enforce the 14-day rule:
On the website where you made the purchase, there is a withdrawal form to fill out. You can also write directly to the seller to make him understand your desire to withdraw. It is not necessary to justify yourself to the seller and you do not need to explain your decision to him. To avoid disputes, always prefer e-mails with acknowledgment of receipt or registered letters. In this way, you can prove that you have complied with the indicated withdrawal periods.
Once the seller is notified of your intention to cancel the order, they may offer to collect the order. In this case, make sure you give him the correct address. But it is also possible that the return is at your expense. Remember to check the various general conditions of sale or ask for more information about the procedure to follow. In all cases, the item to be returned must be packaged and returned in perfect condition. Remember to take pictures of the good and the package before closing it and sending it back.
The right of withdrawal is not valid for any online purchase. Here are concrete scenarios:
You just bought tickets for 600 euros on the web, and you found cheaper tickets? Unfortunately, even if you regret this purchase, you cannot exercise your right of withdrawal. The purchase of a plane ticket is irrevocable.
If the online purchase in question concerns applications on the Apple Store or the Google Store, you will not be able to cancel your purchase or request a refund.
For certain goods, you also do not have the possibility of taking advantage of your right of withdrawal: personalized goods, goods made according to precise specifications, food, goods likely to expire, goods unsealed after delivery, computer software.
Contrary to what one might be tempted to think, the cancellation of a PayPal payment may be possible, but under certain conditions. As long as the recipient has not yet accepted your payment, you still have a chance. The recipient will then have 30 days to accept or decline your transaction.
Want to cancel a PayPal payment that hasn’t yet been accepted by the recipient? Here are the steps to follow:
As you will have understood, it is easy to cancel an internet payment by PayPal, as long as the recipient has not yet accepted the transaction. But if not, you still have some recourse. At first, therefore, make sure of the payment status in the Order Status / Actions column. If the cancel option no longer appears, it means that the person has already accepted the payment. In this case, what can you do? Here’s what you can do:
If it is a transfer made to a relative, you can ask him to reimburse you directly the sum.
If it is a payment, following an online purchase, you can open a dispute on your PayPal customer account.
Recurring payments most often correspond to subscriptions. By going through this type of payment, the online store can take a specific amount from your account at any time. However, it is possible to cancel recurring payments on PayPal:
Have you been the victim of fraudulent use of your bank card for an online payment? As this transaction is illegal you are protected by law! In this case, you will therefore be able to obtain a refund from your bank.
Have you been the victim of a theft on your bank card? The payment on an online site was not made with your consent? You have the possibility to request the cancellation of this transaction. However, you have to prove the fraud to your bank.
This is also a situation that can occur. In this case, it is possible to cancel the payment by internet. But you need to prove that the final amount is not the original amount when you placed order. This situation can be considered a breach of trust, or even fraud. In this case, you have 13 months to cancel the transaction. Attention, if the online store is located outside the European Union, you must take into account the procedures.