As the holiday shopping season continues at a dizzying pace, Connecticut Better Business Bureau is reminding consumers about their rights in the marketplace.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts holiday sales will increase by 3.7 percent over 2014. The NRF estimates online purchasing will grow by as much as 8 percent this year over last.
Although heavy traffic has slowed down some order processing and deliveries, sellers are obliged to get goods to you within a limited time frame. If no delivery date is specified, the merchandise must be shipped within 30 days of receiving your order. If they cannot meet the shipping deadline, the seller has to give you the option of agreeing to the delay, or cancelling your order with a prompt refund.
Retailers in Connecticut are not obliged to accept returned merchandise for exchange, replacement, an in-store credit or refund. However, if they do, they are obliged to post return policies prominently. Those terms and conditions are typically posted at the cash register or at the entrance of the store. Online sites are also obliged to have a prominent disclosure.
Consumer protection laws also prohibit patterns of “bait-and-switch” tactics. These involve luring you to a store to buy a coveted item advertised at a discounted price, and urging you to buy a similar, usually more expensive product if the merchandise is out of stock.
Another important consumer right is protection against misleading advertising, such as a seller making unsubstantiated claims, fake testimonials, incomplete product descriptions and misleading photographs.
Most businesses operate ethically, however, Connecticut Better Business Bureau says it is still necessary to take some precautions when shopping:
Check for the tag – If an item doesn’t have a tag, inform the salesperson and make sure that it is noted on the receipt to avoid problems if it is returned.
Check for an electronic receipt – This is a popular option for many shoppers. If you do opt for an e-receipt or paperless receipt, check your smart device to make sure you received it before you leave the store.
Keep the paperwork – Save all receipts and other paperwork for the items that you buy. If you don’t have the receipt, most retailers will not give a refund or exchange without a proof of purchase. They may give you a store credit.
Only use a secure payment method – Safest is still a credit card or online payment service. Be careful with a debit card, though, since funds are taken directly from your bank account, and you won’t get that money back from a dispute until or unless it is resolved.
AnnualCreditReport.com – Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, a free, no-strings-attached, government-sanctioned service operated by the three credit reporting companies. Your credit reports will tell you if you became the victim of fraud during this busy retail season. You will be asked for date of birth and Social Security Number. This service is also available by telephone at 877-322-8228.
In the event of a dispute, you may file a complaint with BBB online, or by calling 860-740-4500.
If you feel you are the victim or abusive, misleading or other illegal business practices, you are urged to contact the Office of the Attorney General (860) 808-5420 or file a consumer complaint online at ct.gov/ag, or the Department of Consumer Protection, at ct.gov/dcp/complaint, by email at dcp.frauds@ct.gov or by telephone at (800) 842-2649.
Howard Schwartz, Executive Communications Director, CTBBB
