What counts as non-delivery

A seller commits non-delivery when it accepts payment but fails to hand over the promised goods or services within the contract window— or at all. The lapse may stem from careless logistics, chronic back-order, sudden insolvency, or outright fraud. Whatever the cause, Texas and federal law treat failure to deliver as a serious breach of the buyer’s rights.

Why it matters

• Consumers risk losing money, missing deadlines, or suffering downstream losses when a critical item never arrives.
• Businesses that ignore delivery promises invite refunds, charge-backs, lawsuits, civil penalties, and reputational damage.

Typical flashpoints

• Online retail — the parcel shows “label created” but never ships, or it lingers in transit far past the promised date.
• Pre-paid services — cleaning, tutoring, or repair visits booked and paid but never performed.
• Subscription boxes — recurring shipments skipped without notice while charges continue.
• Special orders — custom furniture or bespoke parts that never make it out of the workshop.
• Event vendors — caterers, photographers, or DJs who pocket deposits and vanish on event day.

The legal safety net

Federal layer

• The Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule obliges sellers to ship within the advertised time or, if no time is stated, within thirty days. Miss the deadline and the merchant must seek the buyer’s consent to the new date or issue a prompt refund.
• The Fair Credit Billing Act lets cardholders dispute charges for goods or services that are not delivered as agreed.

Texas layer

• The Business & Commerce Code (Texas’ version of the Uniform Commercial Code) brands non-delivery a breach of contract, giving buyers the right to “cover” (buy elsewhere) and recover the price difference plus incidental and consequential damages.
• The Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act labels knowing failure to deliver “false, misleading, or deceptive,” opening the door to actual damages, up to treble damages for egregious conduct, and mandatory attorney’s fees.

Regulators—federal, state, and county—may also impose fines or injunctions when a pattern of non-delivery emerges.

Remedies in the buyer’s toolkit

• Immediate refund — the first demand when the seller misses the delivery promise.
• Replacement or re-shipment — acceptable if the buyer still wants the goods and the delay is short.
• Cover damages — the extra cost of buying an equivalent item elsewhere.
• Charge-back — a quick, card-issuer reversal when the seller stalls.
• Civil suit — breach-of-contract or deceptive-practice action seeking the purchase price, out-of-pocket losses, and, in Texas, possible treble damages.

Smart steps for consumers

1. Save everything — order confirmation, payment proof, shipping notices, chats, and emails.
2. Track and follow up — contact the merchant promptly when a package misses its window.
3. Send a formal demand — a dated letter or email requesting delivery or refund can preserve statutory rights.
4. Dispute the charge — file a card dispute within the issuer’s deadline if the seller fails to act.
5. Report the merchant — alert the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or the FTC when patterns emerge.

Best practices for merchants

1. Set realistic ship dates — and meet them; over-promise once, lose the customer forever.
2. Notify early — if a delay arises, offer the buyer a clear choice: wait or receive a no-hassle refund.
3. Provide tracking — nothing reassures a customer like real-time shipment data.
4. Streamline refunds — honor requests quickly; delays lead straight to charge-backs and complaints.
5. Comply and document — confirm your fulfillment policies match federal rules and Texas law and keep records to prove it.

Connect With Us

Delivery is the moment a sale becomes a satisfied customer. When goods or services never arrive, Texas contract law, federal shipping rules, and consumer-protection statutes give buyers powerful remedies—and impose stiff consequences on sellers who ignore them. Clear communication, reliable logistics, and fast refunds turn potential legal battles into repeat business. When disputes do erupt, our firm can recover losses for consumers or help businesses cure defects before regulators or courts step in.