Trading Standards officers from North East Lincolnshire Council are reminding local consumers to remain savvy shoppers in the run up to Christmas.

As many shoppers prepare to face the high street, North East Lincolnshire Council has issued ten top tips for avoiding problems with goods and traders.

Tip 1: Shop around for the best deals. You cannot return something just because you have found the product cheaper elsewhere.

Tip 2: Ask for a gift receipt. It is usually the purchaser of goods, and not the person who receives them as gifts, who has consumer rights if they turn out to be faulty. However, shops may agree to sign over these rights to the person receiving the gift, so ask the shop if they will give a ‘gift receipt’.

Tip 3: Make sure goods work properly and are not damaged, before you wrap them.

Tip 4: Hang onto your receipts. Traders are entitled to ask for some proof of purchase if you return faulty goods.

Tip 5: Know who you are dealing with. Your rights are the same wherever you buy goods, whether you buy from a High Street shop, a market trader, a street trader with a suitcase or from a temporary bargain shop. However your chances of returning goods diminish if there’s a possibility that traders might not be around after Christmas.

Tip 6: Know what you’re buying. Goods bought in a sale should perform the same as if they were priced normally, and your rights are the same unless defects are brought to your attention before you buy or should have been obvious if you’d examined the goods.

Tip 7: Buy the right size and colour. If there’s nothing wrong with the item and you simply made a mistake or changed your mind, then you have no legal rights. Some retailers do have goodwill policies allowing these returns, so ask before you buy and get them to write the details on the receipt.

Tip 8: Consider buying goods costing over £100 with a credit card, because you may get extra protection from the card issuer.

Tip 9: Know how much credit costs. Don’t make any spur-of-the-moment decisions to buy on credit and never use illegal lenders. Compare interest rates, consider the total cost involved and how long you’ll have to pay. You don’t want to still be paying for this year’s gifts next Christmas.

Tip 10: Watch out for fake goods. Only buy from reputable retailers; counterfeit spirits can contain high levels of methanol which can pose a serious health risk. Be suspicious of cheap CDs, DVDs, designer clothes, electrical items and perfumes.

Neil Clark, the council’s Community Protection Manager responsible for Trading Standards, said: “It’s not clear whether North East Lincolnshire families spend more than the UK national average of £592 on Christmas, but however much is spent it is all hard earned money and following these tips will ensure no one will get ripped off this Christmas or gives a present that could be dangerous. For example, poor quality and missing components in fake electrical goods and chargers can lead to electric shocks, fires and explosions.”

Mr Clark added: “While a cheap deal on the must-have gift may seem appealing in the moment, it is a false economy to buys fakes as they can have frightening consequences.”

• Counterfeit make-up can contain lead, copper, mercury, arsenic or cadmium and can cause swelling, rashes and poisoning.
• Fake alcohol can contain methanol, antifreeze and fuel, causing nausea, stomach pains, kidney or liver problems, coma or death.
• Unofficial children’s merchandise such as toys and dressing-up clothes could pose numerous hazards with small loose parts, long cords and materials that are toxic or not conforming to fire retardant standards.
• If you would like help resolving a consumer complaint this Christmas, or would like to report any matter to Trading Standards, please contact Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.