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With just nine days left until Christmas Day, the shopping season is in full swing. To help consumers to avoid problems and get a fair deal, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has produced these twelve shopping tips. Armed with these tips, you can become a "Super Shopper"! 1. Presents When buying presents, always keep receipts, in case there's a problem and something needs to be returned. Do check that your purchases are in working order before you wrap them, as faulty goods should always be returned as soon as possible. You have no legal right to a refund or replacement for unwanted presents. The main exceptions to this rule are if the seller specifically agreed to a refund or exchange on return of the goods, and for certain home-shopping purchases which can be cancelled from the day on which the contract is concluded until seven clear working days after receipt of the goods. 2. Goodwill policies In addition to your legal rights, many shops provide their own "goodwill policies". Some retailers provide a no-quibble refund, (usually valid for three to twelve months), or allow you to exchange goods within a specified period, even if they aren't faulty. Look out for goodwill policies before you buy, particularly if you're buying a gift for someone else. This helps to prevent problems if goods aren't suitable. 3. The Sales of Goods Act This says goods must be: 4. Faulty and misdescribed goods If goods fail one or more of the above tests, you have a right to return them and receive a refund, provided you inform the shop within a reasonable time that you wish to return the goods. While there is no set time limit, the quicker you report the problem, the easier it will be to obtain a refund. If you find a fault later, but still within six months of buying, you can usually still claim a free repair or replacement. You don't have to accept a credit note, vouchers or the offer of a repair if goods are faulty or misdescribed and they are returned within a reasonable time. With presents, it's usually the purchaser who should return them but, in practice, it is normally proof of purchase (such as a receipt) that retailers will insist on. While you have the same rights even if you lose the receipt, it provides useful evidence of where and when you bought the goods, although credit or debit card statements could also be used as proof of purchase. 5. Manufacturers' guarantees Although the law says that it's up to sellers to deal with complaints about defective goods, you may have additional rights under manufacturer guarantees. You are usually required to send off details such as your name and address and date of purchase to validate the guarantee, so if you want this additional protection, make sure that you have completed all the necessary paperwork. 6. Sales goods You have the same rights when buying goods in a sale. Ignore any signs which say otherwise, as they have no legal effect. In fact, traders who display such signs can be prosecuted by trading standards officers. Some sales goods are reduced due to slight defects, so check carefully. The seller is not obliged to give you a refund if you are complaining about faults pointed out prior to purchase, for example, on signs or labels. 7. Gift vouchers Many of us don't realise that gift vouchers are only valid for a certain time, typically a year from the date of purchase, and they are not normally exchangeable for cash. You may be offered vouchers when returning faulty goods, but you don't have to accept them as, among other remedies, you may be entitled to a cash refund. It's your choice. 8. Second-hand goods When you buy on the high street, you have the same rights, but you must take into account that second-hand goods will not be of the same quality as brand-new items. Examine goods carefully before you buy. For example, you can still claim your money back or the cost of repairs if the goods are faulty, unless the faults are the wear and tear normally found with second-hand goods or were pointed out to you (or were obvious) when you agreed to buy the goods. You have fewer rights when you buy privately. In a private sale, the goods must only be "as described", and don't need to meet the three tests listed in tip three. 9. Home shopping If you buy goods or services from a catalogue, on the Internet or by any other form of "distance selling", generally speaking, you also have the right to: 10. Credit-card protection If you buy something using a credit card which costs between £100 and £30,000, the supplier and the card issuer are equally liable if the goods are faulty or were misrepresented. This means that if the supplier goes bankrupt before you receive the goods, you can make the same claim against your card issuer as you would have made against the supplier. We have a deck of delightful cards in our Credit Card centre! 11. Amazing offers Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, because they probably are! Misleading advertisements or sales pitches may include false promises about what products can do, conceal or leave out important facts, or create a false impression in some way. Keep your wits about you: ask questions and demand to see the goods. Do consider whether you'll be able to easily contact the seller if there is a problem. Please don't rush into a purchase that you might later regret! 12. Complaining If you're not satisfied with a product, complain to the seller, producing proof of purchase. Keep calm and be sure of your facts. If you're not satisfied, write a letter of complaint to the company's head office, consumer complaints department or Chairman. Stick with it, as you may need to send a follow-up letter. If this fails, contact your local Trading Standards Department, Consumer Direct or your local Citizens Advice office. More: Avoid interest with a super 0% credit card! | Start saving for Xmas 2006 with these ace accounts.