Tis the season to be wary... ten tips for safer festive shopping
Know your rights and stop scammers and rogue traders ruining your Christmas fun
We’re in the midst of the year’s biggest shopping frenzy – between Black Friday and tomorrow’s Cyber Monday. It’s the time of year when we spend tens of millions of euros online. But not everyone out there in cyberspace is intent on displaying ‘goodwill towards all men’. This is also the time of year when scammers and dodgy retailers take advantage of our festive mood.
At Christmas time, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission reports seeing a 23% increase in complaints over online purchases.
‘The number one reason was issues with delivery and/or refunds,’ said Áine Carroll of the CCPC.
The big question with Christmas shopping is: will the precious package arrive on time?
With a reputable trader, the time of delivery will be specified and usually honoured, but make sure to leave plenty of leeway for little niece Nancy to receive the My Little Pony you’ve bought for her.
It should be delivered within 30 days under consumer law, but traders usually pledge to deliver within a week or two – and they can be held to their promise.
Amazon, for example, pledges free delivery within 6-7 days and sooner if you pay for priority post.
If it doesn’t arrive within the agreed period, contact the trader and ask for another date.
If it doesn’t arrive on time again, you can cancel the contract and get your money back within 14 days.
If the trader failed to fulfill a promise to deliver in time for Christmas, you can also cancel the contract.
When you buy online, you actually have more protection than you do with shop-bought goods.
While many stores accept returns, they are not obliged to do so unless the goods are damaged, faulty or not as described on the packaging.
But when you buy from a website in the EU, you’re entitled to a 14-day cooling off period.
‘In most cases this entitles you to cancel the order for any reason, even if you just change your mind. However, you may have to pay for the cost of returning the item,’ said Ms Carroll.
These rights mainly apply when buying from an EU-based business. So always check the physical address of the business before handing over payment.
If you are thinking about buying from a site based outside of the EU, check the terms and conditions, including the returns policy.
‘Only buy from a reputable website or one with positive user feedback. Check if any of your friends have used the site and check discussion forums.
‘If you find a number of seriously negative comments, or the returns and address information isn’t available, don’t shop there,’ she said.
If in doubt, leave it out. There are plenty of other sites to choose from. You’re not protected by consumer law if you buy from an individual. Internet auctions are also exempted from distance selling legislation.
So you can’t change your mind about that cute ‘retro’ beanie baby you impulse-bought on Ebay as a pressie for a kid who’ll have no idea what it is.
When ordering from overseas, also watch out for tax implications.
Last year, Revenue officers in postal depots around the country slapped extra charges averaging €28.70 to more than 76,000 packages.
If the price of the goods advertised online seems low, this may be because tax and duty have not
been accounted for.
However, once your goods arrive in the State, you are liable and nonpayment can result in your goods being seized by Revenue, acting as a sort of reverse-Santa.
If your goods have a customs value (including cost, transport, insurance and handling charges) of more than €22, you will have to pay VAT.
If they cost more than €150, you will have to pay customs duty and VAT. So be careful about bundling several items into one package that will cross that threshold.
All of these costs add up. A mobile phone bought online from the US, for example, could cost an additional €250 in customs duty, insurance, VAT and handling fees.
When you buy alcohol and tobacco online, the above duties, and excise, are payable regardless of the item’s value.
‘Goods arriving from another EU State can also be liable to additional charges,’ a Revenue spokeswoman said.
‘While a case of wine for sale online at €60 might look like a great deal, if the price is low, tax and duty have probably not been paid and Revenue may seize the wine on arrival.’
Excise duty and VAT on an average case of wine, even from another EU country, could double that price to €120.
Last year, Revenue also seized counterfeit goods worth €7.8million. Fake handbags, runners, and phones are among those most commonly seized and, because they are not subject to regulation, may pose health and safety dangers.
In 2015, the CCPC seized a consignment of ‘hoverboards’ at Dublin port over safety concerns and urged shoppers to ensure they buy from reputable suppliers certified to both Irish and EU standards.
Each year the Garda Fraud Office also warns against fake websites set up for Christmas and waiting to scoop up your hard-earned cash.
Or they can simply inject malware into your computer that will cause problems later.
Happy Christmas shopping!