Useful Christmas tips

1) When buying presents, always keep receipts just in case there is a problem and they need to be returned. It is a good idea, indeed ‘a must’, to check that presents are in working order as soon as you’ve bought them rather than wrapping them up immediately. Faulty goods should always be returned as soon as possible after purchase.

If there is a problem, usually it is the person who bought the goods who should take them back to sort out the problem. In practice, it is normally proof of purchase, such as a receipt, that retailers insist on. However, you have the same rights even if you lose the receipt, which is useful evidence as to where and when you bought the goods. Moreover, credit or debit card receipts can also be used as proof of purchase.

2) If goods aren’t of satisfactory quality, fit for their purpose or as described, you have the right to return them and get your money back, provided you inform the shop that you want to return the goods within a reasonable time. While there is no set time, the quicker you report the problem, the easier it will be to obtain a refund. You are not obliged to accept a credit note, vouchers, or the offer of a repair if goods are faulty or misdescribed and they are returned within a reasonable time.

Many people don’t realise that gift vouchers are only valid for a certain time, generally 12 months from the date of purchase, and aren’t normally exchangeable for cash. You may be offered vouchers when returning faulty goods but you don’t have to accept them as you are entitled to a cash refund. It is up to you.

3) Your rights apply equally to goods bought in a sale. You should ignore any signs which say otherwise as they have no legal effect. Some sales goods may be reduced because of slight defects. Therefore, make sure you check carefully. The seller is not obliged to give you your money back if you complain about faults which the seller pointed out to you prior to purchase, for example, on signs or labels.

4) Always be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, because they probably are. Misleading advertisements or sales pitches typically include false promises about what products can do, conceal or leave out important facts, or create a false impression in some other way.

Use your common sense, ask questions and ask to see the goods. Moreover, consider whether you will able to easily contact the seller if there is a problem. Don’t rush into a purchase you might regret.

Useful information for consumers

As Christmas approaches I must remind consumers who go out for Christmas lunch that every hotel, holiday complex, tourist village, aparthotel, and catering establishment is legally obliged to exhibit a full list of the actual prices of every item of food and drink sold at every relevant establishment so that consumers know the prices without having to ask.

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One of the objectives of this column is to encourage consumers to stand up and fight for their rights when dealing with traders and suppliers who don’t respect consumers’ rights. This column has proved to be a very effective tool when dealing with such traders in that consumers can take complete control of the situation and successfully obtain satisfaction. Consumers can chase the progress of their cases with suppliers while, in the process copying me in.

All letters of complaint and complainant chasers are followed by my request/s to the respective suppliers for their comments. In the process, I remind them that the case is subject to publication.