If you’re planning to hit the sales this Boxing Day and beyond, make sure you swot up on your consumer rights first in case something goes wrong.
It can be all too easy to rush in and grab a bargain without being certain it’s exactly what you’re after, especially if you’re shopping online. Here, we answer some common questions you might have, so if there are any issues, you’ll know exactly where you stand.
Q. What if I buy a dress online in the sales and it doesn’t fit. Can I return it?
A. Yes, if you buy something in the sales online, you get extra protection under distance selling regulations. The additional protection is there because you don’t have the chance to look at or try on the goods when you buy online.
Distance selling rules state that you can cancel the contract and get your money back any time up to 14 working days from the day after the goods arrive.
There are some exceptions, however, such as if you’ve ordered perishable goods, fresh flowers, something that was custom made or goods where you’ve taken off the wrapping.
In order to cancel the sale, you normally have to write to or email the company you bought them from and tell them. If the company states in its terms and conditions that it would prefer you to telephone and cancel the sale, that’s fine, but it’s probably a good idea to send an email or letter to confirm this.
The law is very clear that the 14 working day deadline is not the deadline by which you must have returned the goods, it’s the deadline by which you must have told the company that you want to cancel the sale. The retailer cannot say that they will not give you the refund until after they’ve received the goods either. This is written in the Distance Selling Regulations guidance produced by the Office of Fair Trading.
Q. I want to buy an iPad in the sales for my granddaughter. If there’s a problem with it, would she be able to take it back to the shop or would I have to?
A. Generally it’s the person who bought the item who has the contract with the shop. So if you bought the iPad, you’d be the one who would have to take it back if it developed a fault.
However, if you get a gift receipt at the time, it means the person you give the gift to can take it back if there’s a fault with it.
Q. I’m buying something in the sales as a birthday present but don’t know if the person I’m buying for will like it. Is there anything I can do?
A. Your best bet is to ask for a gift receipt and check the shop’s returns policy. Many shops, including the big high street stores, have an extended returns policy. It normally means if you buy something at the end of December you can take it back until the end of January (exact dates may vary).
Q. What if I buy an item of clothing in the sales and it turns out to be faulty?
When you buy clothes (or any other goods), even when they are in a sale, they must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If they aren’t, then the items are faulty and you’re within your legal rights to ask for a refund, repair or replacement.
Check the clothes you have bought. Do this as soon as possible and before using them. If you do find a fault, don’t wear them and contact the trader or return them as soon as possible.
You don’t have an automatic right to a replacement or a refund as the shop can offer to repair them. However, realistically, very few clothes retailers (unless they’re not part of a chain) would offer to repair clothes that are faulty. They would normally let you take a replacement or give you your money back.
A final thought…
It’s a good idea to go sales shopping with a plan – a list of items to buy and a list of shops to buy from. If it’s clothes you’re interested in, for example, check your wardrobe to see what items need replacing or updating and look for the most expensive items on your list first (and therefore those which are likely to deliver the biggest savings).
If you have a ‘special occasion’ coming up, the sales are often a good time to search out that outfit to wear to a wedding or event. Often you can buy something quite special at the equivalent of high street prices, so don’t be afraid to take a look in shops you would normally think of as being out of your price range.
There may be some great savings to be made at sale time, but try to stick to your planned purchases – too many impulse buys could effectively wipe out actual savings made.
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