With last minute Christmas shopping and the sales just around the corner, Citizens Advice Sherwood and Newark is guiding consumers on how to buy and budget.
Changed your mind?
Unless you purchased online, shops aren’t legally required to accept returns for unwanted goods. However, the shop may have its own returns policy.
If you buy online, unless it’s bespoke or made to measure, by law you’ll get an automatic 14-day cooling off period, starting the day after you receive your order.
Worried your purchase is faulty?
You’ll have legal rights if you bought an item that is broken or damaged, unusable, not what was advertised or doesn’t match the seller’s description.
You have 30 days to return something that’s faulty with the guarantee of getting your money back. Your rights don’t end after 30 days. The retailer doesn’t have to refund you, instead they have the option of repairing or replacing the faulty product.
Am I being scammed?
Secure websites should start ‘https’ and have a padlock symbol in the taskbar. Be wary of spelling or grammar mistakes, and companies with no address. Check out other buyers’ reviews.
Tips to stay within your budget
- Spend time shopping around, researching deals on offer.
- When borrowing money, look at the total amount you will have to repay. Shorter repayment periods may be better than a slightly lower Annual Percentage Rate (APR).
- Take care when looking at buy-now-pay-later deals. They can be very expensive.
- Never borrow money on the spur of the moment. Make a budget and stick to it.
Contact Citizens Advice Sherwood and Newark:
- General advice via their Adviceline on 0800 144 88 48 or Relay UK on 18001 0800 144 8884 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 5.00pm)
- Call the local office on 01623 861769, where you may be offered a call back
- Chat online to an adviser – www.citizensadvice.org.uk/contact-us
- Call into their Newark or Ollerton offices