Christmas, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping: Know Your Consumer Rights

The festive season is a prime time for shopping, whether for Christmas presents or Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. But do you know your consumer rights? Whether you are buying online, in-store, or via a marketplace platform, understanding your rights regarding refunds, returns, and faulty goods is crucial so you are not left out of pocket.

What Are My Rights When I Buy In-Store?

When shopping in-store, your rights cover faulty items, meaning you can get a refund, repair, or replacement if the product is faulty, not as described, or unfit for purpose. Retailers may also have their own policies for non-faulty goods, but that is discretionary. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals do not change your consumer rights if something goes wrong.

What About Online Shopping?

Online shopping comes with additional protections, such as the Consumer Contracts Regulations. You have a 14-day cooling-off period from the day you receive your goods, giving you the option to return items for any reason, including simply changing your mind. However, this does not apply to personalised or perishable items.

Buying on Platforms Like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Vinted

When buying through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Vinted, your rights may vary. Buying from a private individual (not a business) generally offers fewer protections compared to buying from a retailer. On platforms like eBay, make sure you understand the terms and conditions regarding buyer protection. Vinted offers its own form of buyer protection, but these are not as robust as consumer rights laws, and it’s wise to check the details before buying.

Do Sales and Promotions Affect My Rights?

It’s a misconception that reduced items have different consumer rights. Regardless of whether you purchase goods during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Christmas sales, you are entitled to return faulty goods for a refund, repair, or replacement.

Can I Get a Refund on Faulty Goods?

If an item you purchase is faulty, you have a legal right to a refund, repair, or replacement, regardless of whether the item was bought at full price or during a sale. This ensures you are not left with faulty goods during the busy shopping season.

What Are My Rights When Paying by Credit Card?

If you make a purchase worth over £100 using a credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act applies. This means the card issuer is equally liable if the goods turn out to be faulty or the seller goes out of business. This protection covers purchases such as Black Friday or Christmas gifts and can be used to claim refunds directly from your card provider.

What Are My Rights When Paying by Debit Card?

If you pay with a debit card, you may be able to use a mechanism called Chargeback. This is not a legal right like Section 75 for credit cards, but it can help you recover your money if there’s a problem with the purchase, such as non-delivery or faulty goods. Most banks have specific time limits to file a Chargeback request, usually up to 120 days.

Summary

Whether you’re indulging in festive shopping, Black Friday bargains, Cyber Monday deals, or buying second-hand gifts from online marketplaces, it’s important to know your consumer rights. This will help ensure you’re covered if things don’t go as planned, providing you with peace of mind during the festive season.

However strong the legal protection, some sellers will not obey the rules. If this happens to you, you should seek legal advice on how best to enforce your rights.

 

For more information, or assistance with a specific query, contact Thomas Sedley on 0161 764 4062 or email tsedley@butcher-barlow.co.uk