The Shanghai People's Congress on Thursday decided to give online buyers the right to a no-questions-asked refund, regardless if the product has been opened and used.
The new amendment on Shanghai's consumer rights protection policy will be implemented starting March 15 next year, the congress said.
A member from Shanghai's congress noted that online vendors are required to give a full refund as long as the item in question is not tampered or damaged by the user in any way.
In the previous version of the policy, the vendors can give a full refund if, and only if, the product in question was returned in its original packaging and should be in a good enough condition that allows it to be resold to another buyer. The condition was strongly contradicted by many consumers as there is no clear guideline on how to determine whether an item is eligible to be resold or not.
According to legislation department director Ding Wei, the amendment aims to give online shoppers rights equal to those who shop on the High Street, but the condition requirements, specifically the "resold" part, renders the law almost useless.
Ding added that consumers, on the other hand, should ensure that the goods being returned are in a clean, undamaged condition.
However, the no-questions-asked refund option does not cover all items. For instance, perishable items such as food products are excluded from the new amendment on the law.
Should consumers have a problem with products purchased online, they can call the 12315 hotline.