Don't get duped by a dodgy Father's Day gift

Choosing a gift for Father's Day gift can be hard. But before you run out to buy dad's favourite aftershave, the latest gadget or a new power tool, it's worth brushing up on your consumer rights.

That's the message from North East Lincolnshire Council's trading standards team, which has compiled a list of do's and dont's ahead of Sunday, June 15.

Principal trading standards officer Neil Clark said: “Many people put a lot of thought and effort into Father's Day. Gifts not arriving on time, and goods and services not meeting expectations, can be quite upsetting for those involved.

“Knowing your rights can help you avoid problems in the first place and arm you with the tools to deal with traders if there's a problem.”

Trading standards say:

• Look out for counterfeit goods such as cut price aftershave, alcohol, DVDs, CDs or videos. Counterfeits are illegal and can turn out to be poor quality and potentially dangerous.
• Keep your receipt as you may need to provide proof of purchase if the goods turn out to be faulty.
• Ask about the returns policies but be aware that shops are not obliged to refund or exchange items simply because they're not wanted.
• Don’t leave Internet or mail order purchases to the last minute as they often take several days to arrive. Under the Distance Selling Regulations a trader has 30 days to fulfil an order unless you agree a specific delivery date. In either case, if the goods don't arrive on time you can cancel your order and claim a refund.
• When shopping online, make sure that your payment is protected - look for the closed padlock symbol when using the Internet.
• When purchasing items costing over £100.00, consider using a credit card as you may get extra protection from your credit card company should problems arise.
• If you're buying gift vouchers be aware that there is usually an expiry date and that retailers may not give change should the goods not equal the value of the voucher. Always check the terms and conditions for details.

Councillor Steve Beasant, the council's portfolio holder for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “Knowing your rights can take the hassle out of shopping at any time of the year.

"By following the advice from the Trading Standards team, residents should be well on the way to avoiding problems. However, if things go wrong, Consumer Direct advisors will give practical legal advice on how to put things right."

If you would like help and advice from Trading Standards please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.