Cheap at half price?

Porirua Citizens’ Advice Bureau Another holiday, another weekend, another sale.

We all love the idea of a bargain – ‘‘Weekend only deals’’, ‘‘60 per cent off everything in store’’, ‘‘ Sale ends on Sunday’’ – it’s enough to make us head straight for the shops.

Under the Fair Trading Act, retailers are not allowed to make misleading claims to get us into the store. If the advertisement says ‘‘60 per cent off everything in store’’ it means absolutely everything in the store.

A store cannot raise its prices before the sale and then quickly lower them nor can they claim the discount is more than it really is if they have not charged the full price for several months.

If you have a store flyer it’s useful to take it with you to check the item on sale. I have had a recent occasion where the store was going to charge me $10 more but when I showed them the flyer, I was charged the correct amount. Their cash register had not been updated with the sale prices.

If you have rushed into a store on opening day of a sale and the item you had your eye on is sold out, don’t be afraid to ask for a ‘‘raincheck’’. This means you can get the item at the sale price once it comes into stock.

Sales can be fun and a great time to buy much-needed items or to buy Christmas or birthday presents in advance. Just bear the following in mind:

Remember to shop around (you may find the item costs even less in another store)

Choose carefully – many stores won’t let you return goods because you simply changed your mind. It’s a good idea to check the stores terms and conditions on returned goods.

If you have any questions relating to buying goods or anything else that you require advice about give us a call.

Citizens Advice Bureau Porirua is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.20pm, and open until 7pm on a Thursday, Pember House, level 2, 16 Hagley St.

Please call us on 04 237 8846 or free phone 0800 367 222, email us on cab. porirua@ xtra.co.nz or visit our website www.cab.org.nz. Our service is free and confidential.