Beware the bargains

Shoppers can find good value in the New Year sales, but some bargains may not be what they seem, say trading standards officers.

From shoes that don't fit properly to timeshare apartments that don't exist, Hull City Council's trading standards team receives more than 10,000 complaints about consumer issues every year.
And every year, just after the January sales, there is a big rise in the number of people seeking advice about shoppers' rights.
Some complain that they are unable to get their money back, after making the 'wrong' purchases, while others feel they have been overcharged or mislead in some way.
Fair trading manager Mike Pindar (pictured) offers the following advice.

Shop around

One of Mike's main warnings is that, whilst the majority of stores will be offering genuine deals with substantial discounts, there will always be those who will be making offers that appear better than they are.

This could include:

• Some shops claiming reductions where the goods have never been on sale at a higher price
• Some shops making price increases a few days before a sale, so that they can be reduced back at their original price for the sale
• Some shops selling goods displaying 'recommended retail prices' which have never been charged.

"There's no real way of shoppers knowing whether this sort of malpractice has taken place - but if you shop around you can usually compare prices and get a feel for whether you are getting a bargain or not," says Mike.

Don't get carried away

"People tend to get excited and make rash decisions in the sales," says Mike.
"Shortage of money and not wanting to miss the chance of a bargain can cause people to act impulsively - but you need to take a step back and make sure what you are buying is suitable.
"Children's toys, for example, may look good prior to purchase but may prove unsafe for a young child when you get home, or they may need some additional apparatus such as batteries or an adaptor.
"Sometimes with electrical goods, people think they are buying the latest model – when they're not - or they may see the same model on sale cheaper in another store after they've made their purchase.
"While you may be entitled to a refund if the goods are faulty or not fit for purpose, you are not automatically entitled to one if you merely change your mind.
"Shops are not legally obliged to offer a refund, for example, if you change your mind, say, about an item of clothing because it's the wrong colour or wrong size, but some store's policies may still allow one.
"It's worth checking the customer returns policy of the store before you make the purchase, and always keep your receipt just in case."

Beware in-store credit

Most major shops or retail groups offer their own in-store credit cards which can be used to buy goods only in the store.
Interest is charged on how much you owe each month, but the amount of debt can build up rapidly if only the minimum monthly repayments are met, warns Mike.
"Signing up for credit can be useful as long as you can control it," he says.
"But it's very easy to go out and get thousands of pounds worth of credit in lots of different shops without realising the repercussions.
"Don't be pressurised into signing up at the till – but instead take the agreement form away and read all the details carefully
"Most importantly - ask yourself if you really need it and if you can afford it.
"And if you do decide to sign up remember to compare the APRs (annual percentage rates), because, usually, the lower the APR, the lower the interest."