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Home Page > Money > Do Your Online Shopping Early this Christmas

Do Your Online Shopping Early this Christmas

Government advice service Consumer Direct is urging people to do their online shopping early this year to make sure presents are delivered in time for Christmas.

During last year's Christmas period(1), Consumer Direct North West received 499 complaints about online orders being delayed or even failing to turn up.

Steven Pye, Operations Support Manager for Consumer Direct North West said: 'The law says that, unless otherwise agreed, online retailers have 30 days to deliver your goods but if you need them to arrive before Christmas, make sure this is guaranteed by the retailer. The best way to avoid disappointment is to do your shopping early.

'Consumers have additional rights when shopping online which in most cases allow you to change your mind and cancel your order for up to seven working days after delivery so check your order when it arrives. If you decide to cancel, online retailers are obliged to refund the full cost plus the original delivery charge, although you may have to pay the cost of return.'

Internet retailing trade body IMRG predicts that consumers will spend over £13 billion online in the run up to Christmas, with sales reaching a peak on the 8^th December.

Consumer Direct offer the following tips for shopping online:

·   Shop around for deals by using price comparison sites and multiple search engines. When comparing prices, check that the advertised price includes everything you have to pay including tax and delivery charges.
·   Check the trader's details and make sure that there is a geographic and email address as required by law.
·   Consider using sites that are members of the Internet Shopping Is Safe (ISIS) trustmark scheme.
·   Read the terms and conditions and make sure you understand the payment and delivery details.
·   Keep a record of all your online transactions including all receipts, order confirmations, correspondence and reference numbers.
·   Make sure you use security software, look for a padlock symbol or 'https' in the website address whenever you are inputting your personal or payment details.
·   If the price of a product is more than £100 and below £30,000 consider using a credit card as this will give you additional protection should things go wrong.
·   Check your goods as soon as they arrive as your rights to refunds, repairs and replacements may depend on how quickly you act.

Online shoppers needing further advice can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/. The IMRG report and information about the ISIS scheme can be found at www.imrg.org

[1] In the period 1 December 07 to 31 January 08, Consumer Direct registered 4160 complaints about delayed or failed deliveries of goods purchased over the internet.

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