When trees can get you needled

MY postbag has been bigger than usual in recent weeks and it’s not because readers have been mistaking me for Santa Claus.

Here’s a round-up of the main issues you have been experiencing in the lead-up to Christmas. 1. DODGY CHRISTMAS TREES:

Although it is traditional to put your Christmas tree up by mid December, most people rush out at the start of the month, or even before, to buy their tree.

Many find that the tree is dead well before Christmas.

Debbie f r om Rushden, Northants, picked up her tree on December 1 from her local garden centre. By December 10 nearly all of the pine needles had fallen off, despite her following all of the care instructions.

I’ve advised Debbie that the tree was clearly not “fit for purpose” or “of satisfactory quality” as required under the Consumer Rights Act. So she is entitled to a refund. 2. CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Christmas markets are popping up everywhere. Gillian from Hartlepool, Co Durham, bought goods from a German trader at a Christmas market in London.

Literally 20 minutes later she discovered a problem with one of the items. She took it back but the trader said she was only entitled to a replacement under German law.

Was she right to tell Gillian that German law applied? In my opinion no because she had set up a temporary shop within England and sold the goods under the Consumer Rights Act. So Gillian is entitled to a refund. 3. LATE REFUNDS

I hear this complaint every year. A good example is the problem Frederick from Brentford, West London, experienced.

He bought a blouse for his wife online at the start of December. He then realised his wife already had an identical one so he asked to return it. The retailer agreed to provide a refund but said this will take up to 30 days to process.

However, Frederick needs the refund before he can buy a new present so needs it well before Christmas.

Unfortunately, retailers are entitled to take up to 30 days to process refunds, even though in reality it doesn’t take this long.