Shop safely online this festive period - Consumer Council

Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Policy at The Consumer Council, said: “it is more important than ever for consumers to know their rights if they are undertaking more of their shopping online.”The Consumer Council is providing some dos and don’ts to consider:

*Do claim for standard postage costs: If you have notified the seller and returned your online item within the 14 days cooling off period after the date of delivery, you should be entitled to a refund for the item plus the cost of the least expensive delivery option (regardless of whether you purchased a more expensive delivery service);

*Don’t assume you can always return goods from private sellers trading on online marketplaces: Shopping online can give consumers extra protections if they wish to return goods purchased. However, this isn’t always the case. Always check the seller’s return policy before buying;

*Do consider how you can protect your purchase if the seller goes out of business: If you are buying goods over £100, consider using your credit card for added protection; and, Don’t always assume all sellers deliver to Northern Ireland: Online retailers that do not sell to NI must make this restriction visible on their website to inform consumers before they might place an order.

Consumers can download ‘Your Guide to Shopping Safely Online’ at www.consumercouncil.org.uk/shoppingsafelyonline