AVOIDING CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MISTAKES

As more of us are shopping online it’s always worth checking out where you’re considering spending your hard-earned cash

Is the website and retailer UK-based?

It’s easy to assume that a website ending in .co.uk means you are buying from a UK company, but that’s not always the case. Some retailers use a .co.uk web domain, but the company is based outside the UK or EU – often in China.

This can make it tricky if the goods are faulty or not as described. If the business isn’t UK based, you are not protected by UK consumer laws, and returning items can cost more than what you paid for them. Look closely for their returns policy.

Some scam websites mimic well-known brands to trick you into buying fake or non-existent items. Look for spelling mistakes, poor grammar and payment options like Euro or US Dollars instead of Pounds.

Always check the ‘About Us’ or ‘Contact’ page for a proper UK address and phone number. There’s a clever tool called https://who.is that can tell you when the website was created. Look for longevity – if the website domain was recently registered, it’s a red flag.

Don’t forget to check reviews online and see what others say but beware of fake reviews. Trust your instincts. A few simple checks can save you a lot of time, money and stress.

Useful links for Christmas shopping…

Royal Mail last posting dates royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates

For information on duties and import VAT on gifts go to gov.uk/guidance/import-vat-and-customs-duty-on-gifts

To report scams go to Action Fraud actionfraud.police.uk