Avoid shopping misery by checking consumer rights

Thursday, July 1st 2010

Being aware of consumer rights can help Britons avoid losing out on money and suffering in the summer sales over the coming weeks and months.

Consumer Focus is warning shoppers to spend some time researching their rights before splashing the cash.

The organisation notes retail spending in July 2008 totalled more than £21 billion, so some awareness of the law may come in useful at a time when every penny counts.

For example, customers should always expect items they purchase to be of a satisfactory quality and as they are described.

The top tips for dealing with a situation where a product is not as it should be include taking it back, refusing to accept warranty as a valid excuse for no refund and using a bank statement to prove payment if a receipt has been mislaid.

Some people may wish to read up on the rules of online shopping, with PayPal this week suggesting £1 in every £10 will be spent via the internet in the UK by 2012.