| Christmas Shopping Tips from CAD
CAD advised consumers: • Stick to known, respected, and registered retailers when making online purchases; • Keep records of all orders, payment approvals, delivery confirmations, etc. Sometimes, when persons purchase products advertised online, there is the concern that they may not receipts with the appropriate contact details for the seller, such as a physical address. Consumers should be careful to request and retain records of the purchase in the event there is a need to pursue redress and avoid the challenge of not being able to locate these suppliers after the fact by getting their contact information. Receipts should always have the following: • The name and address of the business place; • The date and time of purchase; • The contact number for the business; and • A description of the items purchased and their prices Christmas shopping errors CAD also gave examples of mistakes that consumers make while shopping during the Christmas season. CAD indicated that Christmas season is usually a very busy time and consumers tend to make mistakes that will later affect them after the hustle and bustle of the season is over. Consumers inadvertently skip due diligence in the hype of the season. Some pitfalls to avoid are: • Impulse buying • Not budgeting and overspending • Blind buying/guess shopping • Not asking relevant questions at the point of sale • Failing to check items before and during delivery • Not shopping around to compare prices • Holding defective goods/items until after the season instead of reporting discrepancies immediately. Based on these errors, CAD in its statement said there is usually a spike in the number of consumer complaints received in the month following Christmas (January). Some of these are a direct result of impulse buying on the consumers’ part. Increases in complaints during this season are mainly observed in the following categories: • Appliances • Miscellaneous—toys, Christmas lights • Furniture • Purchase contracts—HP, Balance Parcel defaults. Consumer protection CAD urged consumers to be vigilant and protect themselves this Christmas season, during and after shopping. Before shopping consumers should: • Make a list and check it twice • Research your item • Compare prices During shopping consumers should: • Read all hire purchase agreements carefully; • Read labels carefully; • Ask about the store’s return policy/refund; • Examine items for damage and quality. Look for certification marks; • Test items before purchase, especially electronics etc. • Ask about warranty • Ascertain whether there are any installation or delivery fees. After shopping consumers should: • Save all purchase documents: receipts, warranties and contracts • Examine delivered items before signing delivery notes • Exercise their right to complain: report any dissatisfaction to the supplier verbally and/or in writing • Exercise their right to seek redress if the item is not working Edited from Consumer Affairs Division Advises: How to protect yourself during Christmas shopping Raphael John-Lall, Guardian, Thu., 20231214 https://www.guardian.co.tt/business/how-to-protect-yourself-during-christmas-shopping-6.2.1876708.f5c1cbba73 |