The countdown to Christmas is now underway and shoppers only have a few weekends left before the big day to make all their purchases. Christmas shopping lists not only include gifts for family and friends but essential food shopping for parties, Christmas dinners and lunches.
Some shoppers may take the option to shop on-line this Christmas in order to beat the car park queues and crowds thronging around the busy towns throughout the Highlands.
As a shopper, whether you buy on-line or shop till you drop a reminder of what your shopping rights are
(…..and your shopping wrongs) may save you time and money this Christmas!
In preparation for your Christmas spending spree here are some steps to take to keep the shopping experience less frantic:
Making a list
* Make a list of all the people you want to buy gifts for and how much you want to spend on each person.
Having a shopping budget to work from means you don’t overspend unnecessarily.
* Do buy several small gifts for those unexpected gifts you might receive.
A few boxes of shortbread or chocolates ready wrapped means you can deal these unexpected demands on your wallet or purse without being sent into another shopping panic.
Shopping online
* Online retailers have up to 30 days to deliver goods unless otherwise agreed.
Sso it’s worth doing your online shopping early enough to make sure your goods arrive in time for Christmas.
If you want your goods to arrive before Christmas, make sure this is guaranteed by the retailer.
* Remember that when shopping online, you may have a 7 day cooling-off period in which to return goods.
But always check terms and conditions of the seller on-line to make sure there are no exclusions to these rights.
REMEMBER YOU DON’T HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS WHEN YOU SHOP ON THE HIGH STREET.
* Be safe online.
Make sure you know where the internet trader is based and that your payment is protected before you pass over your credit or debit card details.
* Keep a copy of your order.
Print off your order and terms and conditions at the time your order is made.
Keep this information safe for future reference and don’t forget to check your emails (and spam email folder) for updates on delivery of your goods.
* Remember when shopping for food and other perishables (such as flowers) you cannot cancel your order at a later stage.
However if food arrives and it is not of a satisfactory quality or it is late then you may have a claim against the internet trader.
Shopping on the High Street
* KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!
Get into the habit of putting aside your Christmas shopping/gift receipt for everything you buy.
Use a spare wallet or purse to keep these items in and keep it safe.
If goods become faulty or you have to return a gift for any other reason,
i.e. the recipient does not like the colour or it does not fit for instance, you will need proof of purchase.
* Don’t be fooled by cheap bargains.
Remember a lot of shops may buy in cheap goods for Christmas in order to increase their profits.
Price can be used as a guide as to quality in most instances.
Buy wisely and don’t get carried away by ‘Special Offers’ or ‘Bargain Reductions’.
Examine the goods carefully, including care or assembly instructions before you buy.
* Remember not all shops offer a ‘returns policy’.
It is up to you to check if you can return unwanted gifts to the shop for a refund BEFORE you buy.
Know Your Consumer Rights
* If you find the goods you have bought are faulty or they become faulty you do have the right to ask for a refund or a replacement or a free repair.
Go back to the shop or contact the business you bought the goods from and complain to them, in writing if necessary, and give a time limit for the trader to look into the matter.
* For purchases over £100 a good tip is to use your credit card.
Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 as amended, if buy goods worth more than £100 in a single transaction, the seller and the finance company are equally liable.
* If you buy goods in a ‘sale’ your statutory rights are not affected.
However, if the reduction in price is due to a fault that has been brought to your attention then you will not be able to reject the goods and get your money back or a replacement.
* Remember your rights are against the seller, not the manufacturer.
So don’t be put off complaining to the shop or the business you bought your goods from.
The seller is responsible if goods become faulty.
More information about your rights can be found on:
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
or if you have a consumer problem you wish to discuss with an adviser you can contact Consumer Direct Scotland on :
08454 04 05 06 0800 to 1830 Monday to Friday and 0900 to 1300 Saturday.
Consumer Direct is supported by local authorities in Scotland, and by the Department of Trade and Industry
If you feel your rights have been restricted, please contact:
Highland Trading Standards,
38 Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UF.,
Telephone No: 01463/228717
Chair: Jim Ferguson
