Christmas purchases – know your rights

Regulatory Services Officers at Barnsley Council are issuing consumer advice for people making purchases over the festive season, making sure residents have a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Here are their top tips:

Remember that the goods should be of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose as well as matching their description by the seller or on the packaging in addition to being safe. 

When purchasing gifts for anyone it is wise to check the shop’s policy on returning goods. Do they allow goods to be returned and/ or exchanged if they are unwanted, if so how long after Christmas do they offer this?  Your legal right to a refund is only available if the goods are faulty or misdescribed.

If you have a complaint about the goods, first complain to the shop as this is who your contract is with. If the item you have bought is faulty and you have informed the trader that you do not wish to keep it within a reasonable time you may be entitled to a refund. However if you have used the goods and a fault develops within the first few months you will be entitled to a repair or a replacement if a repair cannot be economically done.

Other rights may also be available if the purchase was made on a credit card and the cost of a single item is over £100. If a breach of contract occurs you may have a claim against your credit card company as in these circumstances they have an equal liability for the goods with the trader.

As more and more of us shop from home on the internet, via our televisions or by telephone or fax we should be aware that we have extra rights.  Goods can be cancelled within seven working days after receiving them but in some cases you may have to pay for return posting.

Some goods are not cancellable. Perishable goods, holidays and personalised goods are not covered and if seals on computer games and software are broken they cannot be returned unless faulty.

After Christmas when the January sales begin, remember just because an item is reduced in price it does not mean that it should not be of satisfactory quality or fit for its purpose. However if a fault on a reduced price item is pointed out at the time of sale you will not have a right to a refund.

Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson, Customer and Neighbourhood Services, said: “It can be disappointing to get a present which isn’t suitable or faulty but if you know your rights it can be easily rectified.”

If any difficulties occur and you wish to seek advice, contact Consumer Direct on 08456 04 05 06 the lines are open from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturdays.

ENDS