Stay safe when stocking up for Christmas
Published: 24 November 2023
Make sure you buy from recognised sellers when shopping at online market places.
Trees are up in the shops and festive adverts are appearing on the TV. With Christmas fast approaching, Derby City Council’s Trading Standards team are urging shoppers to shop safely and understand their consumer rights over the festive period.
Internet shopping
Most people will do some, if not all, of their Christmas shopping online this year, and while it might be easy it can have pitfalls. You may find that you are using a bogus site which takes your money but gives you nothing in return, or you may inadvertently buy fake, low quality, dangerous goods.
There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from problems. Research the website. Does it display a geographical address and phone number in the UK where you can contact the trader? If you are paying for goods online using a credit card, check the site is secure by looking for a ‘padlock’ symbol in the browser window. The web address should also start with ‘https://’.
Online Marketplaces
With the cost of everything still high, a cheap deal on a toy for Christmas may seem like a good option, but make sure you know who’s selling it. Lots of shoppers turn to online marketplaces for cheap deals.
Although you might recognise the site, like Amazon or eBay, a lot of products are sold by third-party sellers that may not adhere to the strict safety standards set in the UK, so make sure you only buy from ones you trust.
In 2022 the BTHA conducted a test on 40 toys sourced from these marketplaces, with the results showing that 90% of toys tested had safety failures while 100% were non-compliant.
Markings to look out for include age ratings, the CE or UKCA mark, the British Toy and Hobby Association’s (BTHA) Lion Mark, all of which show a product meets the statutory safety requirements.
Payment
Over Christmas, many of us find that we have overspent and struggle to manage our bills in the New Year. The offer of quick and easy ‘pay-day’ loans may be tempting but can have consequences. If you're having difficulty managing your finances, help is out there.
Support on managing debt is available on the Citizens Advice website, or from a debt charity such as Step Change, which offers a free debt helpline on 0800 138 1111 .
If you are a Derby City resident, you may be eligible to receive free, confidential and independent advice on financial problems from Derby Advice. Find out if you are eligible on the Derby City Council website.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services, said:
“For many Christmas is a time to celebrate and share gifts, but unfortunately there are still risks out there. I know our Trading Standards team will continue to work hard tackling the sale of dangerous and illicit products, but there are still steps we can all take to ensure the gifts we buy are safe.
“I’d urge everyone to exercise caution when buying online and to understand their consumer rights to avoid any disappointment or financial difficulties in the run up to Christmas Day.”