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Christmas
is fast approaching and the organised amongst us are already eyeing
up presents for friends and families. The Citizens Advice Bureau
has an important message for consumers - keep receipts of all Christmas
purchases and protect your rights as a consumer.
The
country's 91 bureaux, staffed by a volunteer workforce of 2,700,
know from long experience that consumers often end up without any
comeback when they buy goods that either break soon after purchase
or don't suit and need to be returned.
"While
retailers aren't required by law to exchange or refund a product,
many will do so if asked and a receipt is presented. If you are
really worried about the suitability of the gift, make sure you
discuss this with the retailer when you buy it and get them to write
on the receipt that it can be exchanged or refunded if required,"
said Nick Toonen, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Association
of Citizens Advice Bureaux.
"The other area of shopping that people need to be careful about
is mail orders. There are a number of pitfalls that should be avoided."
Problems
people encounter when doing mail-order shopping are:
-
Not receiving goods that have been paid for.
- Long
delays in receiving the goods.
- Difficulties
in getting refunds for unsatisfactory goods or goods not received.
- Problems
in getting complaints dealt with.
The
following checklist can help avoid these problems:
- Check
whether the goods can be bought locally at a similar price and
buy it that way if possible.
- Check
out the extra costs associated with mail-order purchases eg postage,
insurance.
- Make
sure you have all the important information: full details of the
product, a money back guarantee, delivery time etc. Ask for these
things if they're not provided.
- Check
whether the company you are ordering from is a member of the Direct
Marketing Association.
- Keep
copies of any correspondence, including your original order. Double-check
your name and address correctly before sending your order off.
- Check
everything the moment it's received. If there is anything wrong,
contact the supplier immediately. If it's not what you ordered
return it for a refund or exchange.
If
you need help or advice with consumer issues, or any other problem,
you can contact your local CAB by looking under 'C' in the phonebook
or dialling freephone 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222).
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