Customers Beware

Every year at Christmas time, although the advice applies throught the year, we receive a number of warnings. Dont drink and drive, don’t leave valuables on display in the car, make sure our houses are secure, use only registered taxis, the list goes on.

Perhaps another warning needs to be added this time of an unseen, if we are not vigilant, cost to ourselves. Recently, both through personal experience and from continuing comments from residents I have become aware of offers not being redeemed in shops. 3 for 2 the banner proclaims, yet the offer expired a week ago, buy one get one free but not honoured at the till, half price but again not at the till.

Needless to say mistakes can be made, however, the number of reported mistakes reaching me is far too many.  I would urge shoppers to carefully check their receipts and perhaps make a mental calculation of how much the bill should be before arriving at the till.

Seeking the advice of Trading Standards their response was :-


Our advice would be, as you suggest, to check your receipt to ensure that you have got the discounts you are entitled to.  Always check that the promotional sign relates to the goods you have selected.  
If a trader misleads consumers in respect of the price of any goods, he may well be in breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.  This legislation is enforced by the Trading Standards Service.
We would advise consumers if they have been overcharged to check the details of the offer, and if they have paid too much, to approach the customer service desk in the store.  
We would always want to be advised of any instances of consumers being overcharged – members of the public should contact our consumer advice service, Consumerline, who will pass any possible breaches of the legislation to one of our enforcement teams.  The telephone number is 0845 600 6262 (or 028 9025 3900), or they can make an online complaint at www.consumerline.org

Consumerline