Distance sale or not?

[jester92]

I recently purchased a used motorcycle online but as I live in an area where the company did not offer delivery, I decided to arrange my own courier instead. Now the bike has arrived it I have found there to be a couple of minor faults and it is not really in in the condition I was expecting. The company have offered to cover the cost of having the issues sorted but given the overall condition not being what I was expecting I think I would just prefer to get my money back. I have asked the company for a full refund which they are willing to do but only if I return the bike at my cost. I am in Northern Ireland and have already paid £350 to have the bike collected so a £700 loss is a bitter pill to swallow for me if I go for this option. Could anyone please tell me whether I am within my rights to ask for the company to cover the shipping costs? I know if this was a distance sale they should do but is it still a distance sale if I had the bike collected from them?

[des8]

If you commit to purchase online before collecting the goods the distance selling regulations apply as the contract has already been made before collection
So if you purchased on line (ie paid when ordering) you are within your rights to expect the seller to cover the return costs.`