Regulation of distance selling methods

This paper examines New Zealand’s distance selling regulation, in particular the changes made in the course of the recent consumer law reform. First, the paper assesses the reforms with regard to telemarketing. While some criticism is expressed as to the content of the prescribed disclosure by the supplier, the approach followed is approved of in general. The paper then examines the merits of a general right of withdrawal in distance selling contracts as it exists in the European Union. Analysing withdrawal rights from an economical, psychological and ethical perspective, the paper argues that both from a supplier’s and from a consumer’s point of view, the advantages are outweighed by the disadvantages that come with withdrawal rights.