Bless their cotton socks (or maybe that should be thermal socks at this time of year).
The good folk over at the Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards Service have obviously been taking part in some creative thinking workshops (or perhaps they’re naturally so).
As part of their annual message to us all about being wary of scammers and rogue traders, they’ve adapted the popular Twelve Days of Christmas carol to help bring a bit of cheer with the fear (only joking, it’s all good advice, natch).
Take it away Sam ….
‘The Twelve (Trading Standards) Days of Christmas’
Twelve Dodgy Dealers: Avoid counterfeit goods – Christmas is the time when you will see a lot of counterfeit goods for sale, often by street traders. The goods will often be poor quality and in some instances dangerous.
Eleven Stocking Fillers: You have no rights if the gift is unwanted. You are relying on the trader’s goodwill and should check their returns policy before you buy any items to be given as gifts. Some stores give gift receipts.
Ten Online shoppers: Make sure you check the expected delivery dates. Distance selling regulations mean online sellers have 30 days to supply your goods from the day after you place your order, unless you have paid extra for next day delivery. Make sure you order in good time for your gifts to arrive.
Nine Faulty Presents: Always examine presents as soon as you can and take any defective goods back immediately. The sooner you take them back the more rights you have.
Eight Shops a Shutting: At Christmas time empty shops are often occupied by traders offering cheap goods especially toys. They may often be of poor quality and the trader may no longer be there in the New Year. If the goods are faulty then you may have difficulty finding the trader. Make sure toys are suitable for the age of the child and meet all relevant safety standards and look for the CE mark.
Seven Cards a Swiping: If you can, pay for goods over £100 on a credit card. You may have extra protection if things go wrong.
Six Festive Bargains: Don’t be too hasty to grab a bargain. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Five Doorbell Rings: Beware of doorstep sellers. A lot of household burglaries happen over the Christmas period and doorstep cold calling is often the way many unscrupulous burglars gain entry into your house.
Four Vouchers Dated: Check the expiry dates if you are buying gift vouchers as a present. Many will have an expiry date and may be useless if not used in time.
Three Guarantees: You are not obliged to buy a guarantee or warranty. Many give no more protection that you already have by law. Check the small print to see what you are covered for.
Two Remember: Alcohol (18), cigarettes(18), fireworks(18), solvents(18), knives(18), spray paints(16), DVD’s and computer games(the age stated on the packaging) are all age restricted goods. This means you have to be a certain age to buy them. It is also an offence to buy products for underage people.
One Receipt: You should keep your receipts, as without this you have no proof of purchase, and returning goods may be very difficult.
Image: Billaday under CC BY-ND 2.0
