Consumer Rights

You may find that if you have bought something on credit you will have additional rights than if you paid with cash for instance. If something goes wrong with the thing that you bought, or shoddy work is done on something that you ordered, so long as the value of the product of service is over 100 pounds (even just the deposit paid) you may find that the credit provider has a shared responsibility for that good or service. The first thing to do if something goes wrong with something that you have ordered is to contact both the provider and the credit company.

Internet shopping is now more popular than ever but naturally we should still expect our consumer rights to be upheld. Some tips for buying online really apply wherever you are shopping.

Firstly, shop around. You may be able to get a cheaper deal on another site.

Use retailers that you either know yourself or have been personally recommended. You may be able to get special online deals from high street companies anyway.

It sounds obvious, but however great the companies' website is it does not always follow that they are law-abiding!

Take into account the cost of postage and packaging.

Your consumer rights do not end after you have made your purchase. Of course there are some variations depending on the item that you have purchased. For example, if you buy clothing or footwear; at the point of sale the item must be fit to be worn (i.e. seams should be intact), what you requested (e.g. waterproof) and the same size as on the label.

You do not however have a right to return the item of clothing, or expect repair or replacement, if it is simply not the right fit, you have changed your mind or you have chosen the wrong item of clothing for the use that it was intended for.