From: "John Reynolds" To: "Lolworth Parish Council" ; "Irish Nick-Dry Drayton" ; "Girton Website" ; "Girton Parish News" ; "Girton Parish Council" ; "Dry Drayton Website" ; "Dry Drayton News" ; "Binnie Harvey-Boxworth" ; "Bar Hill website" ; "Bar Hill News" ; "Bar Hill Parish Council" Subject: RIGHT STUFF TO BEAT THE BARGAIN HUNT BLUES Date: 11 January 2008 18:45 RIGHT STUFF TO BEAT THE BARGAIN HUNT BLUES Help is at hand for shoppers suffering from the bargain hunt blues were the items they have bought in the sales may not be the quite what they seemed. Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards want to make sure people are aware of their rights when it comes to buying and what to do when returning bargains. Each year the traditional sales season seems to start earlier, with prices slashed before Christmas. But what do you do when what you bought turns out not to be the bargain you thought and what are your rights? Here is some after sales advice from Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards. * If you buy misdescribed or faulty goods you will usually be entitled to either a refund of the purchase price or an exchange (if one is available). For minor faults, easily fixed, it is reasonable to accept a repair. Beware signs stating "no refunds on sale goods" these are illegal and can be disregarded. What can you do to avoid problems? * Always buy from an established reputable trader * Inspect goods carefully looking for faults * Try items of clothing on to make sure they fit rather than rely on size labels * Use a credit card for single item purchases of over £100 - you have additional rights with the card issuer should you later have a problem * Keep a store receipt if issued or other proof of purchase such as acredit / debit card slip - you may be asked to produce this with returned goods * Stop using and return goods as soon as possible * Do not accept a credit note for misdescribed or faulty goods unless you intend to exchange it with the shop for other goods. Once accepted a credit note, cannot be exchanged for cash. NOTE: It may have an expiry date after which it will not be valid. * Keep calm, be polite and state clearly what you are unhappy about. * If sales staff are unable to assist, ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. * Remember you have no rights if you change your mind about an item or simply chose the wrong colour, shape or size. Graham Clarke, Fair Trading Officer for Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards, said: "The key to beating the bargain hunt blues is to know your rights. It is so disappointing to buy a bargain only to find you maybe stuck with something that is no good or you have no idea what you can ask the shop to do to make the situation right. Cambridgeshire Trading Standards is at the frontline of protecting shoppers> '> rights and we will help whenever we can. But remembering some of our top tips will hopefully stop you from having the bargain hunt blues and left with something you can't use." For any shopping advice Trading Standards can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06 or visit http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/know-your-rights/ John Reynolds