CONSUMER group Choice is encouraging people not to be silly at the shops this holiday season.
The organisation wants shoppers to plan their purchases and know their rights before hitting the checkout.
The advice comes as consumers are expected to spend more than $1 billion a day in the lead up to Christmas.
"The last thing you want to do is get caught up in the hype as we head into Christmas and wake up in the new year with a financial hangover," said Choice's head of media Tom Godfrey.
Choice has published a few simple tips to help shoppers avoid getting ripped off:
- Compare products and prices
Comparing prices and products online and in store will help guard against over paying.
- Avoid the shopping centre trap
Shopping centres are designed to get shoppers spending more once inside. Making a list and sticking to it and help customers avoid buying more than they need.
- Know your refund rights
Customers are entitled to have an item repaired or replaced of it doesn't do what was expected or if it isn't of acceptable quality. But Choice warns stores don't have to take back a product if a customer changes their mind.
- Avoid racking up credit card debt
Putting all the presents on credit card can cause long-term financial pain, especially if customers make pricey, unplanned purchases on a high interest rate card and don't pay off the balance in full each month.
- Think carefully before buying gift cards
Buying a gift card means buying the terms and conditions. CHOICE recommends reading the fine print for any activation fees or short expiry dates.
- Avoid being duped online
Online stores are subject to the same legislation as traditional bricks and mortar retailers, but consumers should still do their homework to find out who they are buying from. To avoid being duped, CHOICE recommends checking the online retailer has a physical address and phone number as well as reading their returns policy.
- Sign up for free product safety alerts
A number of popular products have been recalled this year for safety reasons. Customers can ensure none of their Christmas presents are added to the list by signing up to https://www.productsafety.gov.au
