Press release -
Trading Standards' top 10 tips for safe, hassle-free shopping online
MORAY Council’s Trading Standards team is offering up their top 10 tips for shopping safely and hassle-free online as Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach:
- Start your shopping early to ensure that presents arrive on time. The law says that, unless otherwise agreed, online retailers have 30 days to deliver your goods.
- When shopping online, you usually have a 14-day cancellation period which allows you to cancel the contract. There are exceptions to this, including personalised or perishable goods, or items bought from a private individual.
- If you do exercise your right to cancel, online retailers must refund the full cost plus the original delivery charge, although you may be required to pay the cost of returning the item. Traders may not charge a restocking or administrative fee if you cancel within your 14-day cancellation period.
- Don’t know the company? Before you buy, take a minute to search for company reviews on the internet. Where are they based? There should be a postal address on the website. Do not assume that it’s a UK-based company because it has .uk in the web address.
- Found what you want at a really low price? Could it be counterfeit? Fake goods are usually poor quality and could be unsafe.
- Only order from secure sites with the padlock symbol in the address bar. The address should begin with https://.
- Having problems with delivery charges because of your postcode? Check out the Delivery Law website at www.deliverylaw.uk for more advice.
- If you receive goods that are not of satisfactory quality, you have a 30-day right to reject them and get a full refund.
- Consider using a credit card for purchases over £100 for added protection under s.75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
- Remember – if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
If you need more advice on a purchase you’ve made, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0300 123 4561 or email Moray Council’s Trading Standards team on trading.standards@moray.gov.uk.
Topics
- Public sector
Regions
- Scotland
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.
