Issued By Cumbria County Council

CHRISTMAS  SHOPPING  TIPS  FROM CUMBRIA  Trading Standards

Cumbria Trading Standards receive hundreds of enquiries each year about unwanted or faulty gifts.

This 12 point guide will help ensure that the Christmas gift you receive isn’t a disappointment.

• Order early for Christmas, to avoid disappointment.
• Always keep the receipt.
• Ask the shopkeeper to endorse the receipt “Christmas Gift”.
• The receiver of goods can now return them to the shop (but they need to show proof of purchase) – previously only the buyer had statutory rights and could return items.
• Ask the retailer if you can have a refund/exchange if the recipient doesn’t like the gift – get   the receipt endorsed to this effect.  The shopkeeper doesn’t have to give a refund/credit note if the person doesn’t like the goods or you’ve simply changed your mind, but many will.
• When you get it home, open the box and check to make sure that the gift works.    Try it out.
• If goods are faulty, you are entitled to your money back.  Fair wear and tear is not a fault.  Return faulty goods quickly – do not attempt to use them.
• Know your rights.  Goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for the purpose.
• Paying by credit card for items over £100 can give you extra protection – but keep your credit card spending under control.  Remember it all has to be paid for!
• Be very wary of empty premises that suddenly become occupied in the run up to Christmas.  Experience shows that they often close down immediately after Christmas.
• Don’t buy from itinerant street and car boot traders.  They’re often here today, gone tomorrow.
• You have the same statutory rights if you buy items from the January Sales.

Cumbria County Councillor  Jack Richardson, Community Safety Spokesperson, said  “So much money is spent on Christmas gifts, that it really does make sense for people to know their consumer rights.  It’s interesting to note that, providing they have proof of purchase,  the receiver of faulty goods can now return them to the shop”.

Notes for Editors:

1.         The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 took effect on 11 November 1999.  One of its effects is that faulty goods can now be returned to the seller by either the buyer or receiver of the goods.  Previously it was the buyer, with whom the shop had a contract, who had to return them.

2.          For more information on this Press Release, contact Patrick Thomas (01539 773591) or Ian Johnson (01229 894525).