How to avoid disaster with online vouchers

Online voucher deals are a great way to snap up bargain presents. Sites like GroupOn, GrabOne and Dealrush can offer smashing deal but you have to grab them while they’re hot. But beware of the pitfalls of impulse purchases.

When you give your credit card details and click ‘buy’ you are entering into a contract. And few of us, apparently, read the small print for such online transactions.

This leads to classic complaints such as buying hotel break without realising there’s a limited timeframe.

Watch out also for restaurant deals that exclude weekends. Here are some tips to ensure the only turkey you buy this Christmas is on the dinner table:

Pass on terms and conditions such as expiry dates an other restrictions when buyin vouchers as a gift.

Allow plenty of time for th product to arrive, and to so out any potential problems (of which there can be

many). Online deals will tell you the period during which you can expect it to arrive.

Most voucher deals come under online purchase regulations, which have a 10day cooling off period during which you can change your mind. (See Your Rights As A Consumer).

Check out the product supplier online and read the feedback to see how satisfied other customers were after their purchase.

Avoid voucher presents with tight deadlines.

Check the supplier’s returns policies. Some may refund the cost of the voucher if your gift recipient can’t use it or forgets – but most won’t.