Definition of 30-day delayed delivery rule

Federal Trade Commission rule, usually referred to as the Thirty-Day Rule, stating that if mail order goods will not be delivered within the time promised, or within 30 days of receipt of a properly completed order if no time frame was specified, the buyer must be given the option of canceling for a full refund. The seller must notify the buyer that delivery will not be made within 30 days and must provide the buyer with a means, such as a postpaid postcard, to cancel the order or to extend the time for shipment. If the order is not canceled, the seller has another 30 days to deliver the merchandise. Failure to deliver within that 30-day period requires reconfirmation of the order by the buyer. In addition, sellers are prohibited from making delivery commitments, other than 30 days, that they aren't reasonably likely to meet. For magazines, delivery refers to shipment of the first issue only. The 30-day period on credit subscriptions does not begin until the first bill is mailed. The rule does not apply to photofinishers, sellers of seeds or plants, COD sales, and negative option sales.