This one in from the council last week. Ed
With residents busy preparing for Christmas, Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards Service is giving advice on how to avoid dodgy deals and ensure a happy festive period.
The service is issuing a special Xmas Tree message for people to remember when shopping for presents.
X is for ‘X’-tortionate
During these times of financial hardship it can be hard to get credit and some consumers may turn to loan sharks who can charge extortionate rates.
Never use loan sharks, but Trading Standards and the South East Illegal Money Lending Team can give advice to people who have received money from loan sharks.
M is for Measure Up
Don’t be afraid to ask the recipient of a clothing gift for their sizes before buying to avoid problems later. Alternatively, ask for a gift receipt, which doesn’t give away how much the present cost and enclose it with the present. Remember, most stores will only allow a present returned with a gift receipt to be exchanged for something else – they won’t give a refund.
A is for Avoid
Shoppers should be wary about buying from a trader who might be difficult to find after Christmas if problems arise, such as street seller, car boot sales and traders who occupy empty high street premises just prior to Christmas for a short time.
S is for Safety
Candles can create disasters. Every year almost 2000 people in the UK need hospital treatment following accidents caused by candles. Never leave candles unattended, keep them away from children and animals, follow all safety warnings supplied with the candles and if you have any doubts about their safety, don’t use them.
T is for Toys
If you are buying a toy for a child, make sure it is suitable for their age range and meets all relevant safety standards. Buy from a reputable retailer and particularly look out for the CE mark which must be shown on all toys.
R is for Refund
You have no legal right to a refund on shop purchases unless the item is faulty or does not match the description on the box or label. By law, the person who bought the goods has to take them back, although, some major stores adopt a more flexible approach at Christmas time.
E is for E-Commerce
Buying online gives us extra rights – a seven day cooling off period in which we can change our mind and send the goods back. Make sure you read the terms and conditions on any website when buying goods.
E is for Electrical
Take particular care when buying electrical goods to make sure they meet safety standards.
If you feel you may have been the victim of a scam or you feel your shopper’s rights are not being followed, you can call IW Council Trading Standards on 01983 823396
