Consumer agency offers shoppers Christmas advice

THE National Consumer Agency yesterday launched its 12 top tips to ensure shoppers know their rights and buy wisely this Christmas.

The distribution of handy receipt holders is among the steps by the agency to encourage shoppers to keep their receipts so presents can be exchanged.

Tips for shoppers also include knowing your rights when returning a faulty good or shopping online, watching out for scams and added extras, and making sure you don’t put too much on your credit cards.

Shoppers should ask for gift receipts, note expiry dates on gift vouchers and check the safety of toys on sale at knock-down prices.

“Christmas is a very busy shopping period for consumers and it is important that they are provided with information and advice to maximise their shopping experience and minimise frustration and confusion,” said Ann Fitzgerald, chief executive of the NCA.

“Our top tips for Christmas offer information and advice which will prove useful for shoppers during the mad rush of Christmas shopping.”

Meanwhile, the Small Firms Association called on shoppers to make a special effort to buy Irish this Christmas. Chairman Pat Crotty said early indications show consumer spending will be €4.46 billion, up 5% on 2006, and can add a significant economic impetus to the country and help maintain jobs.

“As Christmas gets closer spending becomes greater and on Christmas Eve thehourly spend will be in excess of €25 million an hour,” he said.

“Pubs, off-licences, restaurants, toy stores, department stores, gift shops, fashion and footwear outlets, food suppliers, travel companies, airlines, businesses trading online, taxis, transport companies and others should see trade increase substantially in the run-up to Christmas.

“If everyone spent just €100 extra on Irish products the result would be an extra spend of over €200m on Irish-made products during Christmas.”