Preparing For the Autumn sales - Your Consumer Rights

As we prepare to descend on the shops to take advantage of the autumn sales, Claire Bond, legal executive in the Civil Litigation team, considers that it is worthwhile going armed with a little knowledge of our consumer rights. Claire says, “Studies have shown that almost half of the population do not know their consumer rights and almost a third of us lose money through not understanding what we are entitled to”.

To ensure that forewarned is forearmed, Claire offers guidance on the top three misconceptions when shopping at sales:

• "There are no refunds on sale items"

This is a common misconception which is often reinforced by signs in the shops having sales. If the goods have been reduced in price because of a fault that was pointed out to you or you could “reasonably” have been expected to notice, or which you pointed out to the store, then you are not entitled to a refund. However, if the item was on special offer or the price was reduced in a “sale”, you are entitled to get your money back if it turns out to have a fault, to have been inaccurately described or not fit for the purpose for which it was sold.

• “We don’t offer refunds – you must accept a credit note”.

If you buy goods that turn out to be faulty, you are in fact entitled (so long as you have acted within reasonable time) to receive a full cash refund.

• “If you shop online you have fewer consumer rights”.

Actually, the opposite is true. If you shop online you have greater consumer rights as you have the right to ‘change your mind’ and receive a full cash refund; so long as you tell the retailer this within seven days of receiving the goods.

If you would like assistance in ensuring that your consumer rights are being upheld, call Claire on 02392 820 747 for further information.

 

October 2017