Shoppers' rights on the christmas list in Scotland

Glasgow consumers offered 'Hot shopping tips'

PN 83a/02 2 December 2002

Christmas shoppers in the Glasgow area are being targeted as part of a major OFT consumer awareness campaign on shoppers' rights.

Following a local radio advertising campaign in the region, the OFT will be visiting the Braehead shopping centre, Kings Inch Road, Glasgow on 5 December to distribute 'Hot Shopping Tips', its new pocket guide on shoppers' rights. Trading Standards officers from Renfrewshire Council will also be present to give free help and advice to shoppers on anything from rogue traders to internet shopping.
Download Hot shopping tips in pdf format (16 kb).

The visit forms part of the OFT's regional roadshow programme which aims to raise awareness among local consumers of their rights on the high street, so they can make informed decisions when buying goods and services.

The 'Hot Shopping Tips' guide includes the following helpful tips and advice for Glasgow shoppers:

any goods you purchase must be of 'satisfactory quality', 'as described' and 'fit for their purpose'
a retailer cannot avoid giving a refund on faulty goods by blaming the manufacturer as the contract is with the seller
a credit card provider is liable as well as the retailer if the item bought costs between £100 and £30,000 and is faulty, broken or doesn't arrive
consumers who shop from home have additional rights, including a cooling off period (usually seven days) in which to change their minds.

The OFT is also holding a seminar on the morning of 5 December in the Swallow Hotel, Paisley Road West, Glasgow, for small and medium sized businesses to explain the OFT's role, listen to their views of how markets are working and help their understanding of competition and consumer protection laws.

Launching the Glasgow roadshow, Penny Boys, Deputy Director General of Fair Trading said:

'It's nearly Christmas and presents are on everyone's shopping list. Informed consumers are in a better position to get what they want. If you know your shopping rights and shop around, you are more likely to get the best deal.'

The OFT stand will be located outside Marks & Spencer in Braehead Shopping Centre between 1000 and 1700 on Thursday 5 December.

NOTES

1. Media copies of 'Hot Shopping Tips' are available from the Government News Network (formerly COI) or the OFT's press office.

2. Non-media copies of 'Hot Shopping Tips' are available by calling 0870 60 60 321. You can also download Hot shopping tips in pdf format (16 kb).

3. Glasgow is the seventh in the OFT's new series of regional roadshows. Previous roadshows have taken place in Bristol, Leeds, Belfast, Newcastle, Kent and South Wales. (For further details on the roadshows programme see OFT release 11/02.)

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