TOP
TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
With Christmas shopping mania
about to go into overdrive during the next few weeks, On Your
Behalf, has put together some essential advice and top
tips for Christmas shopping.
Before you buy
How to buy
When you buy
Keep all receipts
After You buy
Returning goods
BEFORE YOU BUY
Start shopping as early as possible to take advantage of pre-Christmas
sales and the widest choice
Decide how much you are going to spend on everyone and write lists
of everything you need to buy. Keep to your lists and try to avoid
impulse buys.
Shop around and compare prices. Different shops can charge different
prices for the same items. This is legal. It can be very annoying
to see something you have just bought much cheaper in the next
shop.
HOW TO BUY
Buy from reputable traders.
Don’t
fall for counterfeit goods. Clothes, CDs computer games, DVDs
perfume, aftershave and videos
are all popular with counterfeiters. Look at the price of the goods.
If it is too cheap, it is probably fake. Check the quality of the
packaging and check for spelling mistakes.
Internet shopping is becoming
very popular and you have extra rights when shopping from home.
There
are also pitfalls. Buy from
well known traders and get their actual addresses and telephone
numbers. Pay for items over £100 by credit card – this
gives you extra protection but make sure you are buying from a
secure site when you give your credit card details. Never send
your credit card details by e-mail.
Beware of scams especially
of sites that say “this is not
a scam” - reputable traders don’t need to say this.
WHEN YOU BUY
Check the shop’s policy
on unsuitable goods. Different shops have different policies.
This is legal.
You do not have an automatic
right to a refund on unsuitable goods. Some shops will offer a
refund on unsuitable goods while others will just offer credit
notes or exchanges. Some may not offer anything. It is up to the
shop what its customer policy is. Check on time periods for returning
unsuitable goods. This can also vary from shop to shop.
KEEP ALL RECEIPTS
You will need the receipts if the presents
are unsuitable and the shop is prepared to offer an exchange. It
is always useful to have receipts if you have bought something
that is faulty. If you pay by credit card check your receipts against
your statements.
Take care when buying toys.
Always check for the CE safety mark and make sure the toy is
suitable
for the child’s age.
Use cash for small purchases
and check your change. Use your credit card for items over £100
for extra protection.
AFTER YOU BUY
Test any toys you buy to make sure they work, and that all the
accessories are there. Check if they need any batteries and buy
these so that the toy can be played with on Christmas Day.
If something you have bought is faulty return it as quickly as
possible. Delays in returning faulty goods can affect your rights.
TOP 10 TIPS ON RETURNING
GOODS AFTER CHRISTMAS
• Go back to the
shop as soon as possible, but NOT on the day they start their
sale!
• Do not remove labels if you think goods might be unsuitable and
may have to be returned
• Keep unsuitable goods safe and secure and preferably not in a smoky
atmosphere
•
Bring the receipt – most shops ask for this when unsuitable
goods are being returned
•
Check the shops policy. If the shop says its policy is to offer
exchanges or credit notes on unsuitable goods – THIS IS REASONABLE
• Know your rights. If you have bought faulty goods you can ask for
a refund or a repair or a replacement. Exactly what you are entitled
to depends on the particular circumstances of your complaint
• Remember shops do NOT have to give refunds on unsuitable goods
unless this was agreed before the goods were bought
• Being told you can bring goods back does NOT necessarily mean the
shop will give a refund. It may just be offering an exchange or
credit
• Different shops have policies on unsuitable goods. This is legal.
In law shops do not have to make any offer at all when someone
is returning unsuitable goods.
•
KEEP CALM – DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPER! Do not be rude about
the item, especially if the person who bought it is with you. Be
polite and friendly and expect the assistant to want to help you – they
usually do! Smile! It can work wonders
Consumer advice compiled by the Belfast Consumer Advice Centre,
Callender Street, Belfast Tel:
028 9032 8260
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