Black Friday: Know Your Rights!

Guernsey's Trading Standards says shoppers should know their rights if they're planning on making Black Friday purchases.

The consumer protection experts have put together a guide.

It answers some of the common questions and issues asked of Trading Standards officers.

Consumers are being advised to keep it handy as they continue their Christmas shopping.

In particular, we're being warned that the latest games consoles are almost impossible to get hold of and we should be wary of any site we have never heard of that are claiming to have stock.

The warnings follow a rise in the number of scams targeting the Bailiwick claiming to be from online sellers - particularly Amazon.

Trading Standards says it is likely that will continue throughout the Christmas shopping season:

"...they’ll claim your Prime needs to be updated or that fake transactions have taken place on your account, before asking for your bank or other personal details. Our advice is simple: just hang up. If you’re concerned, contact Amazon through legitimate and advertised routes."

Trading Standards advice:

• When buying either locally or online, you’re entering into a contract protected by legal rights –guarantees and warrants do not affect these rights.
• If you are buying goods sold in a shop they should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If they aren’t, you are entitled to a remedy, which can either be a refund, repair or replacement depending on the circumstances. 
• If you’re buying locally, make sure you check the returns policy of the shop – although they are not obliged to accept goods back if you change your mind, many will have some form of returns policy in place.
• If you’re buying online from a UK-based seller, you can cancel the order from the time it is placed until 14-days after you have received it – although you will have to pay the cost of returning the item(s) unless the trader has agreed to cover this beforehand. The seller is also responsible for getting it to you – if it arrives damaged, you need to contact who you bought it from.
• If you’re returning a faulty product to a UK-seller, they must bear any reasonable cost of that return.
• If you’re not sure whether to keep something you’ve bought online from the UK, don’t handle it too much as if you do, it may reduce the chances of you getting a full refund.
• The EU has similar consumer legislation to the UK and if you buy anything from other parts of the world, their local consumer protection laws will apply.
• Using a credit card for purchases between £100 and £30,000 will give you additional protections as these are covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. 
• If you’re buying online, make sure you know who you are buying from. Check the seller’s history, feedback and reviews. Review the website, if there are spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, it’s highly likely it isn’t genuine. If it’s a co.uk web address, it doesn’t mean the seller from the UK – check the address and phone number. Remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.