IMPORTANT! 

PLEASE READ THEN DELETE THIS BOX

This is a template letter for guidance. You need to add your details and where appropriate change the letter to suit your particular circumstances. 

Once you’ve made changes, always print it out and read through to check it makes sense to the recipient.

ACTION POINTS

[BLUE BRACKETS]: Put your specific info here, then delete the instructions (and change the text colour)

 [RED BRACKETS]: Just for info – after you’ve read, delete

 [insert your name, address and date]
[insert name and address of retailer]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Order number: [insert your order or purchase number if there is one]
Ref: Delivery complaint due to breach of contract

On [enter date] you agreed to sell me [enter item]. 

[Use this section to claim for losses after a failed delivery, or delete]
 
It was agreed you would deliver to me on [enter date and time]. You failed to deliver. You would not then agree to deliver at a time which was convenient to me, and delivery was rearranged for, and took place on, [enter date]. However, I incurred loss due to your breach of contract.

I was compelled to take [select from unpaid leave / annual leave] for [enter one day / number of hours] which represented a net loss to me of £[enter amount you would have been paid]. I am writing to claim this amount from you. I look forward to a full and prompt response to this letter within 14 days. Failing this, I will bring proceedings against you in the county court for damages, and interest on them at the rate of 8% per annum and costs.

[Use this section if it didn’t deliver on time and you want to cancel the order, or delete]

It was agreed you would deliver to me on [enter date and time]. You failed to deliver but time was of the essence. It was a condition of the contract that the delivery date would be adhered to, as stated on [enter where delivery date was stated, eg, on invoice / website / sign in shop]. I no longer require the goods from you and because of your failure to deliver, I hereby terminate the contract. I claim the return of the sum of £[enter amount paid].
 
[Add this section if you would like to claim additional costs, or delete]

In addition, I also claim £[enter expenses] for [enter reason eg, travel, phone, postage costs, increase in price for similar goods, compensation for loss of enjoyment, compensation for inconvenience if goods were for ‘personal comfort’]. This brings my total claim to £[enter amount and costs]. I look forward to a full and prompt response to this letter within 14 days. Failing this I will bring county court proceedings against you for damages, interest at the rate of 8% per annum and costs.

[Use this section to add 'time is of the essence' to your contract, or delete]

It was agreed delivery would be in [enter time, eg, 3-5 days] but so far delivery has not taken place. The delay has been undue and cannot reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.

Therefore, I am hereby making time of the essence and giving notice that unless the goods are delivered to me no later than [enter reasonable date, eg, 28 days], I will treat you as having repudiated the contract and call on you to refund all sums I have paid you, together with damages for breach of contract. This will include my expenses in having to buy the same goods elsewhere, and any amount in excess of the price I paid to you. 

I look forward to your response within the next 14 days.

[Use this section for all letters]

Yours faithfully,

[insert your signature]
[insert your name (printed)]