Consumers looking to bag a bargain in the January sales are being urged to shop with care and brush up on their legal rights.
New Year sales are traditionally a busy time for retailers when goods are heavily discounted. Staffordshire County Council’s trading standards service wants people to shop safely and stay alert to avoid falling victim to scams or being duped by fake websites or counterfeit goods.
Key consumer rights include a 30-day right to return faulty goods, the right to challenge unfair terms and conditions, and a right to redress where services are performed poorly. An additional 14-day cooling-off period to return unwanted items applies to most goods purchased online.
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: “The January sales are a busy time for shopping and we simply want to remind people of their rights and to be aware of potential pitfalls when they’re handing over their money.
“Whether shopping in a physical shop or online, it’s important that people are aware of their consumer rights and laws. These are designed to protect shoppers and include things like the right to a refund if goods are faulty or if they don’t match their description. If you do spot a bargain price, it’s always worth checking comparison websites to check if the price really is a bargain.
“Unfortunately, shoppers are also increasingly targeted by criminals and scammers and that’s why it is important that people follow some simple safety tips when buying online. It’s worth looking out for fake websites and only buying your items from trusted websites or where there are positive reviews.”
Some tips for safe and secure shopping include:
- Do your research and make sure offers and products are genuine
- Know your consumer rights. If you encounter a problem with a purchase, contact the seller and give them a chance to put it right. If that doesn’t work – reach out to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline
- Ways to pay: Beware of a seller who asks you to pay by direct bank transfer. Bank transfers have limited protection if things go wrong, so avoid using them.
- Be wise to scams in disguise
Further consumer advice is available at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or by calling: 03454 04 05 06.
Concerns about the sale of counterfeit goods can be reported to the Staffordshire fight the fakes hotline on 01785 330356.
