January Sales - 10 Top Tips
Looking for a bargain in the January sales? Arm yourself with Warwickshire Trading Standards Service 10 top tips for savvy sales shopping.
1. Shop around - compare the actual selling price and check whether it’s a good price in comparison with the same or very similar goods in the shops near you.
2. There are plenty of bargains, but think ‘selling price’ and try to ignore the ‘discount’ to make sure that you really do get good value.
3. Read all it says on the sale notice or in an advertisement. A sign might read 80% off from a distance, but a closer look might reveal the words ‘up to’.
4. Don’t be fobbed off by notices such as ‘no sale goods exchanged’ or ‘no cash refunds’. Your rights apply equally to goods bought in a sale. You should ignore any signs which say otherwise as they have no legal effect.
5. But remember, if the product is labelled ‘shop soiled’ or ‘marked on the sleeve’ or you are given this information verbally, then this may affect your legal rights.
6. Credit Cards – Using your credit card for purchases over £100 may give you extra protection but make sure you can pay off the balance when the bill arrives or that bargain could become expensive.
7. Internet Savvy - Be on the alert for internet fraud scams and identity theft. Always check a website has secure payment methods. Look for a padlock sign on the payment pages and makes sure the web address changes from http to https.
8. Buy Safe – Counterfeit goods can be extremely dangerous and often of a very poor quality, a false economy.
9. Extended warranties should only be purchased for your peace of mind and not to please an enthusiastic salesperson. Sale of Goods legislation gives you legal protection if goods are faulty.
10. Extra charges - Beware of additional charges such as delivery costs. Goods may no longer be the bargain you thought they were if you have to start adding extra’s on.
For further information and advice on consumer rights and how to gain redress when things go wrong, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the website at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk