§ 47. Your duty to tell the shop if you cannot pay
If something comes up that prevents you from paying or collecting the goods, you must let the shop know. If you don't tell them, and they lose money waiting in vain, you must compensate them for that loss.
Machine-translated from Norwegian. The Norwegian text is the one that applies. Read the original in Norwegian.Norsk English العربية Polski Українська
The text of the law (unofficial translation)
If the consumer (forbruker) is prevented from performing the purchase on time, the seller (selger) shall be notified of the impediment and its effect on the ability to perform. If the seller does not receive such notice within a reasonable time after the consumer became aware or ought to have become aware of the impediment, the seller may claim compensation for loss that could have been avoided if he or she had received the notice in time.
What does this mean?
This is the mirror image of § 25 (the shop's duty to notify you of delays). The law does not like people who hide.
Your only duty is to "give notice". You don't need to conjure up money by magic. Just send an email or call, and you have fulfilled your duty to inform. From then on, the shop's unnecessary expenses are no longer your fault.
Example
Per is having tractor equipment delivered on Friday and is to pay the driver. On Thursday evening he ends up in hospital, and nobody calls the supplier. On Friday the driver drives two hours there and back and finds a locked gate. The supplier sends Per a claim for NOK 3,000 for the wasted trip. Under § 47 they are right: the loss could have been avoided with a message on Thursday evening.
Common mistakes
- Blocking the seller instead of sending a simple text message makes the matter much more expensive
What should you do?
Send a quick email or call. You don't need to have a solution ready. Just tell them about the impediment. Then you have fulfilled your responsibility.