Is displaying a physical address a legal requirement?

[Pogglers]

Is it a legal requirement to display the business address on your website?

I put mine on a compliments slip with orders and on labels on my products but took it off the website at my husband's request. We can't find one on Amazon for instance, so just wondering what the legal requirement is.

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Mairi

[Daffs]

Yes in accordance with distance selling regulations.

Amazon's in on this page http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=1040616

Mine is on my Conditions page.

[buppybean]

yes but I think its only if you are selling things. I have mine on my contact page.

You have to display it on ebay as well now if you are a business seller but you are allowed to put it in your me page.

[naturalnursery]

As Daffs says, yes it is. Apparently Trading Standards are checking into this more now and do trawl sites looking for ones that don't comply and they will contact you to ask you to put it on.

Axx

[Pogglers]

Thanks guys. That is very helpful. I shall put it on somewhere.
I am based in Switzerland, but it probably applies here too. And hopefully will be back in the UK soon anyway.

Mairi :-)

[funkyfish]

Just to add that naturalnursery is absolutely right.

Trading Standards are really hot on this type of stuff.

I have had Trading Standards on my door step twice in four years. The first time I was horrified as they came to amend my Returns Policy. They sent two Trading Standards officers to ask me to include the word "working" in my Returns Policy. I had only put that the cooling off period had 7 days instead of 7 working days.

A phone call would have sufficed but she explained that so many businesses are operating from homes these days that they like to go through things with people.

The second time they came round they wanted to inform me of the regulations about labelling and false advertising. I had not done anything wrong, but again they said that if I have been told and then don't comply they can then act quickly.

I was quite upset as I do pay close attention to the regs and felt that it was only because I had my address that they could target me and so many people out there run business that terms and conditions breach customers rights and don't put an address.

But then I figured that I would use the relationship with the officials to my advantage and regularly call them and ask for clarification on issues.
I also got them to approve my policies and have stated that on the website that I am Trading standards approved.

All these things build customer trust. Personally I would not buy from a website that did not have an address and phone number listed.

I felt a bit bullied at the time and its quite scary when you are at home with the kids and two officials come in and lay down the law.

[Daffs]

Just to add that naturalnursery is absolutely right.

Trading Standards are really hot on this type of stuff.

I have had Trading Standards on my door step twice in four years. The first time I was horrified as they came to amend my Returns Policy. They sent two Trading Standards officers to ask me to include the word "working" in my Returns Policy. I had only put that the cooling off period had 7 days instead of 7 working days.

A phone call would have sufficed but she explained that so many businesses are operating from homes these days that they like to go through things with people.

The second time they came round they wanted to inform me of the regulations about labelling and false advertising. I had not done anything wrong, but again they said that if I have been told and then don't comply they can then act quickly.

I was quite upset as I do pay close attention to the regs and felt that it was only because I had my address that they could target me and so many people out there run business that terms and conditions breach customers rights and don't put an address.

But then I figured that I would use the relationship with the officials to my advantage and regularly call them and ask for clarification on issues.
I also got them to approve my policies and have stated that on the website that I am Trading standards approved.

All these things build customer trust. Personally I would not buy from a website that did not have an address and phone number listed.

I felt a bit bullied at the time and its quite scary when you are at home with the kids and two officials come in and lay down the law.

Wow, I imagine that was scary! I agree that I would not buy from a website that did not have an address and phone number listed.

[funkyfish]

Wow, I imagine that was scary! I agree that I would not buy from a website that did not have an address and phone number listed.

Very scary, my little one was only 3 and was sleeping and I felt violated.
My husband was furious as he said that the Trading Standards officials were on about £30 per hour and its a waste of tax payers money to send two of them round to a woman on her own to change one word.

Another wahm I know received a really snotty letter from Trading Standards and she was doing everything by the book. It was for some really minor wording and Trading Standards turned out to be wrong. They tried to get her to pay for customers returns telling her that she could not charge postage and expect them to return the goods at the customers cost.

I just thought her husband is a police officer and if anyone is going to be honorable its her. I wish they would focus on ones clearly disrespecting the regs as opposed to the ones that try to do it all fair and square.

[Emsickle]

If you are a limited co, is it right you have to display all addresses, including registered and trading from, on all paperwork/websites etc too?

I think it is, at least we were told we had to :unsure:

[Pogglers]

Well hopefully I am all legal now. I have put my address on the Terms and Conditions page.

I am very surprised that Trading Standards came round to houses without first calling expecially if it is just about wording on a website. Must have been very worrying.

[funkyfish]

If you are a limited co, is it right you have to display all addresses, including registered and trading from, on all paperwork/websites etc too?

I think it is, at least we were told we had to :unsure:

Good question!

I think you only have to list the registered office if you are Ltd as that is the place you get served legal notices.

I am fairly confident you don't have to state your trading address on websites.

Many businesses prefer to list the registered office so that the place where they store the goods is not public for security.

My friends run a recruitment company and the accountant they use is the registered office and the address for correspondence is a PO Box address. They are based from home and want privacy.

[Emsickle]

I've just found this on business link's website:

Limited companies must show on letters and order forms (paper and electronic versions) the name of the company, the place of registration, the company registration number, the address of the registered office and the address of its place of business, if different. If the company is being wound up this fact must also be stated. There is no need to list the names of the company directors. However, if you choose to do so, you must list all names. Invoices must show at least the company name and VAT number if applicable. In the case of a limited company that is exempt from using the word "limited" in its name, it must state the fact that it is a limited company.

Still trying to see if its the same for websites, although if the web site had an ordering system, I presume the same rules as above would apply?

[poppet]

Blimey that is scarey, I'd be a wreck if I had a visit like that. Seems very heavy handed and over the top though, like you say a simple phonecall would done.
Do you have premises or did they just turn up at home?

[funkyfish]

Blimey that is scarey, I'd be a wreck if I had a visit like that. Seems very heavy handed and over the top though, like you say a simple phonecall would done.
Do you have premises or did they just turn up at home?

At that time I was running the business from home. I have premises now.
It was a very heavy handed approach. Although, when I got chatting to them they softened a little.
I think its harder for Trading Standards to regulate businesses with so many home based companies now.

I think councils are quite harsh these days.
About eight weeks ago I got a letter at the shop with a non smoking sticker from the council stating that on a routine inspection they had noted that I was not displaying a non smoking sign and they would come by the shop in a weeks time and if I was not displaying the enclosed sticker I could face prosecution. Obviously, I displayed it - but I just thought why not just bring it in when he was passing by doing the inspection, save him the bother of writing a letter and avoid the nastiness.
I really dislike that oppresive agression that these organisations have. Its almost like evryone expects the worse from people.

[baby-bean]

Thanks for this, I've got my current address on my site but was wondering about replacing it with a PO Box address when we move. Does a PO Box count?

[funkyfish]

Thanks for this, I've got my current address on my site but was wondering about replacing it with a PO Box address when we move. Does a PO Box count?

You have to have a proper street address listed as the office say in your T&C's etc, but if you have a business where people can return items you can use a post office box address for that.

[Laura@FYP]

Just to add that naturalnursery is absolutely right.

Trading Standards are really hot on this type of stuff.

I have had Trading Standards on my door step twice in four years. The first time I was horrified as they came to amend my Returns Policy. They sent two Trading Standards officers to ask me to include the word "working" in my Returns Policy. I had only put that the cooling off period had 7 days instead of 7 working days.

A phone call would have sufficed but she explained that so many businesses are operating from homes these days that they like to go through things with people.

The second time they came round they wanted to inform me of the regulations about labelling and false advertising. I had not done anything wrong, but again they said that if I have been told and then don't comply they can then act quickly.

I was quite upset as I do pay close attention to the regs and felt that it was only because I had my address that they could target me and so many people out there run business that terms and conditions breach customers rights and don't put an address.

But then I figured that I would use the relationship with the officials to my advantage and regularly call them and ask for clarification on issues.
I also got them to approve my policies and have stated that on the website that I am Trading standards approved.

All these things build customer trust. Personally I would not buy from a website that did not have an address and phone number listed.

I felt a bit bullied at the time and its quite scary when you are at home with the kids and two officials come in and lay down the law.

:unsure: Oh my!

*runs off to add the word 'working' to her returns policy*

[baby-bean]

You have to have a proper street address listed as the office say in your T&C's etc, but if you have a business where people can return items you can use a post office box address for that.

Thank you!

[maxine84]

hi there, is this for any eb site at all that sells a service or products?

[Miranda]

Is it a legal requirement to display the business address on your website?

I put mine on a compliments slip with orders and on labels on my products but took it off the website at my husband's request. We can't find one on Amazon for instance, so just wondering what the legal requirement is.

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Mairi

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=1040616

They're registered in Luxemburg - what a surprise!

[funkyfish]

hi there, is this for any eb site at all that sells a service or products?

Yes, you have to have a real address listed to be operating legally.

A PO box can used as a secondary address.

The distance selling regulations state:

1) if payment is required in advance you must supply a full geographic address

2) the geopgraphic address where a consumer may direct complaints. (The OFT deems a PO Box unacceptable)

3) If you take payment via electronic equiptment you also have to conform to the ECR's and these regulations also specify that you need to include a geographical address.

Hope that helps

x

[LA Ferrier]

Even if it wasnt a law,
it is important criteria to put it on for the benefit of the customer. I myself when i shop ensure they have a direct address, this is so that the chances of getting scammed are slim if you have an address if anything goes wrong. So it is really in YOUR interest to put your company adress on.

hope that helps xx

[BellaMiller]

Even if it wasnt a law,
it is important criteria to put it on for the benefit of the customer. I myself when i shop ensure they have a direct address, this is so that the chances of getting scammed are slim if you have an address if anything goes wrong. So it is really in YOUR interest to put your company adress on.

hope that helps xx

I agree - I won't shop online without an address

[planitpurple]

I have found this - http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/legal/distance-selling-regulations/

Hope it helps.

I agree, I personally would be hesitant about ordering from somewhere with no address on the website.

[Emsickle]

I would say, that the last time I got scammed, an address and phone number were clearly displayed on the website. So whilst it may give people more trust, to some respects, it won't necessarily make it apparent to people that they aren't going to be scammed.