From: "John Reynolds" To: "Bar Hill Parish Council" ; "Bar Hill News" ; "Bar Hill website" ; "Binnie Harvey-Boxworth" ; "Dry Drayton News" ; "Dry Drayton Website" ; "Girton Parish Council" ; "Girton Parish News" ; "Girton Website" ; "Irish Nick-Dry Drayton" ; "Lolworth Parish Council" Subject: TREE-MENDOUS TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Date: 09 December 2007 20:08 TREE-MENDOUS TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING With just a few weeks to go to Christmas Trading Standards have some top tips for buying Christmas presents by following the XMAS TREE Code. Each Christmas Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards receives hundreds of calls from people asking advice about presents they have bought or received. Mark Oliver, Trading Standards Officer for Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "We want people to have a happy and safe Christmas. No one wants the problems of trying to return presents that are faulty or even dangerous. We hope by following our easy to remember XMAS TREE buying tips that everyone's Christmas shopping will be successful." X- is for eXamine: always carefully check goods in the shop for damage, tears or marks, particularly if the item is in a sale. M - is for Measure up: Don't be afraid to ask the intended recipient of a clothing gift for their sizes before buying to avoid problems later. Alternatively, ask for a gift receipt, which doesn't give away how much the present cost and enclose it with the present. A - is for Avoid: Many complaints made to Trading Standards concern items which turn out to be faulty or unsuitable that were bought from temporary outlets, street sellers and car boot sales. Shoppers should be wary about buying from a trader who might be difficult to find after Christmas if problems arise. S - is for Safety: If you are buying a toy for a child, make sure it is suitable for their age range and meets all relevant safety standards. Particularly look out for a CE mark. When buying food in advance, make sure it will not pass its use by date before you intend to eat it. T - is for Trading Standards: If you suspect an item is a fake, or you are concerned about a product's safety, contact your local Trading Standards. If you have a complaint which the seller is unable to resolve to your satisfaction contact Consumer Direct East on 08454 04 05 06 or log on to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk R - is for Refund: Ask the shop if they would be willing to refund the purchase if the gift is unwanted or unsuitable. Don't simply ask if you can bring it back as this often causes misunderstanding - ask for it in writing on the back of the receipt. Remember, you have no right to a refund unless the item is faulty or does not match the description on the box or label - and by law the person who bought the goods has to take them back (although most major stores adopt a more flexible approach at Christmastime.) E - is for Exchange: Many shops are willing to exchange goods if they are unsuitable. Again, ask for confirmation of this in writing. E - is for Electrical: Take particular care when buying electrical goods that they meet safety standards and, as soon as possible after purchase, check the item works properly. John Reynolds -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.17/1178 - Release Date: 08/12/2007 11:59