TOP TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS - PART ONE - SHOPPING

In the build up to Christmas we will be giving you advice and assistance to help you plan, be safe and get the best from Christmas.

PLANNING

Be Prepared, Shop early to take advantage of the widest choice and pre-Christmas Sales.

Put money aside into a Christmas fund each month throughout the year, to make Christmas more affordable.

Before buying any Christmas Presents decide how much you are going to spend on everyone and write lists of everything you need to buy. Keep to your lists and try to avoid impulse buys.

BUYING

Buy from reputable traders. Don’t fall for counterfeit goods. Clothes, CDs computer games, DVDs perfume, aftershave and videos are all popular with counterfeiters. Look at the price of the goods. If it is too cheap, it is probably fake. Check the quality of the packaging and check for spelling mistakes.

Look for bargains online, online shopping is becoming very popular. Remember pay for items over £100 by credit card – this gives you extra protection but make sure you are buying from a secure site when you give your credit card details. Never send your credit card details by e-mail.

Beware of scams especially of sites that say “this is not a scam” - reputable traders don’t need to say this.

AT THE CHECKOUT

Different shops have different policies. Check the shop’s policy on unsuitable goods. You do not have an automatic right to a refund on unsuitable goods. Some shops will offer a refund on unsuitable goods while others will just offer credit notes or exchanges. Some may not offer anything. It is up to the shop what its customer policy is. Check on time periods for returning unsuitable goods. This can also vary from shop to shop.

KEEP ALL RECEIPTS

You will need the receipts if the presents are unsuitable and the shop is prepared to offer an exchange. It is always useful to have receipts if you have bought something that is faulty. If you pay by credit card check your receipts against your statements. If you purchase your presents online ensure you keep all email confirmations sent to you from the e-tailer.

Take care when buying toys. Always check for the CE safety mark and make sure the toy is suitable for the child’s age.

Use cash for small purchases and check your change. Use your credit card for items over £100 for extra protection.

CHECK YOUR PURCHASES

Test any toys you buy to make sure they work, and that all the accessories are there. Check if they need any batteries and buy these so that the toy can be played with on Christmas Day.

If something you have bought is faulty return it as quickly as possible. Delays in returning faulty goods can affect your rights.

TOP 10 TIPS ON RETURNING GOODS AFTER CHRISTMAS

Go back to the shop as soon as possible, but NOT on the day they start their sale!
Do not remove labels if you think goods might be unsuitable and may have to be returned
Keep unsuitable goods safe and secure and preferably not in a smoky atmosphere
Bring the receipt – most shops ask for this when unsuitable goods are being returned
Check the shops policy. If the shop says its policy is to offer exchanges or credit notes on unsuitable goods THIS IS REASONABLE
Know your rights. If you have bought faulty goods you can ask for a refund or a repair or a replacement. Exactly what you are entitled to depends on the particular circumstances of your complaint
Remember shops do NOT have to give refunds on unsuitable goods unless this was agreed before the goods were bought
Being told you can bring goods back does NOT necessarily mean the shop will give a refund. It may just be offering an exchange or credit
Different shops have policies on unsuitable goods. This is legal. In law shops do not have to make any offer at all when someone is returning unsuitable goods.
KEEP CALM – DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPER! Do not be rude about the item, especially if the person who bought it is with you. Be polite and friendly and expect the assistant to want to help you – they usually do! Smile! It can work wonders

Tags: 2008, Advice, Blog, Christmas, Christmas sales, christmas shopping, Fun, Games, money, Offer, presents, Sale, Sales, Shopping, Top Tips

Mcfly to turn on London Christmas lights

This year the theme for the Regent Street lights is ‘stars’ and the famous “mile of style” will be transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas shoppers. Since the 1950s international celebrities have turned on the lights to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Past personalities include HRH The Prince of Wales, Kylie Minogue, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sylvester Stallone and Sir Ian McKellen.

Danny from McFly said: “We’re really excited to be switching on the Regent Street Christmas lights.
“So many great people have done it in the past. “It’s also fantastic that BBC Children in Need are involved. “Hopefully we can help encourage people to think of ideas to raise even more money this year”.

McFly are releasing an official single for BBC Children in Need, which helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The switch-on event is supporting the charity with many of the Regent Street retailers collecting donations throughout the week.

This year Hollyoaks star John Pickard, who plays the character Dominic Reilly, will MC the event and the London Gospel Community Choir will be performing a selection of songs from the stage keeping the audience entertained in the lead up to McFly switching on the lights.

The Regent Street Christmas lights are one of London’s major tourist attractions and draw a huge number of visitors each year.

source: This is Lancashire

Tags: BBC, charity, Christmas, christmas lights, christmas shopping, community, Lights, Mcfly, money, Regent Street, Shopping, Win

A Happy Christmas for online UK retailers

A recent article published in the Sunday Herald highlighted that the UK is expected to become the biggest online retail market in Europe with over 27 million people expected to buy something on the internet this year.

With total online sales in the UK set to reach £40 billion this year it is predicted to only get better for online retailers. Figures are expected to quadruple to over £160 billion by the year 2020 accounting for 40% of all UK retail sales.

As a general rule online retailers have lower overheads so the best thing is, consumers could save more than £13 billion a year by shopping online! However, with only 11 online shopping days to go until Christmas time is running out!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ONLINE UK SHOP…

Tags: 2007, Blog, Christmas, christmas shopping, Happy Christmas, online sales, Sale, Sales, Shopping, uk shopping