Know your rights when shopping this summer

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By Paul Davies
Know Your Money Editor

In the current economic climate a number of shoppers could be looking to achieve the best possible value for money.

Following the recent emergency Budget, consumers might be looking to tighten their purse strings and make the most of the summer sales that are currently on offer in a number of shops.

As always it is wise to shop around in order to find the best deal available but it could be just as important to know what to do if a problem occurs with an item bought in a sale.

With that in mind, Consumer Focus has issued a warning to shoppers to make them aware of their rights to avoid falling foul of a deal that is not quite as good value as it first appears.

What to know

The consumer organisation has advised shoppers to avoid bargain hunting misery by ensuring they know their rights.

It has issued five top tips to help people avoid problems at the tills if their purchase does not live up to expectations.

It reports that retail spending totalled £21.6 billion in July 2008 and - with a little extra knowledge in the shops - money could go further at a potentially crucial time.

People are advised to be aware they have the same rights for goods bought in a sale as they do at any other time.

This means the item they have purchased should be of decent quality, fit for purpose and sold as described.

If this is not the case the shopper should be entitled to a refund, replacement or repair.

However, in the case of voluntary returns shoppers may be best to check the retailer's sales policy, as it may differ from normally priced items.

What the experts say

Adam Scorer, director of external affairs at Consumer Focus, stated the upcoming VAT increase may see an increasing number of shoppers looking to grab themselves a bargain buy in the summer sales.

He said: "Unfortunately, what seems like a great deal in the shop doesn't always look so good once you get it home. People need to be sure about what they are buying before they hand over their hard earned cash and understand how to take things back if they're not up to scratch."

"It is important people know their consumer rights in case their shopping turns out to be more fool's gold than 24 carat. Shops may try and convince people they are not entitled to a refund when in fact they are. By protecting ourselves with our rights, we can all make sure we don't get burned in the heat of the summer sales."

Tips to avoid a bad deal

The first of Consumer Focus' top five tips is that if an item is faulty then it should be taken back to the store. An item needs to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose when purchased, so if a problem occurs during the first six months you should be entitled to a refund, replacement or repair.

Proof of purchase is usually required to get a refund on a product, however, this does not necessarily need to be a receipt. Therefore, if an item is of poor quality but the consumer doesn't have a receipt they should be able to show a bank statement if they made the purchase on a card.

Sales can often prove a good time to pick up items that are slightly damaged but still usable. However, if an item then turns out to be faultier than originally made clear then the buyer can gain a refund.

A warranty does not remove the obligation of a retailer, so it may be best to contact them first before getting in touch with a manufacturer.

Lastly, some shops normally allow items to be returned if it is ill-fitting or the person simply changes their mind about it. However, shops can sometimes change their usual policy during sales. Therefore, money-savvy consumers may be wise to think carefully before buying items and when they approach the till find out what the returns policy is.

Important Notice
This guide is intended for general information only and is not intended as, and does not constitute, any form of advice, recommendation or endorsement by us of any particular product(s) or services and you should rely on your own further research and professional advice in relation to your specific requirements and circumstances before purchasing any products or services. Use of this guide is subject to the Terms of Use of the KnowYourMoney site.