Thinking of buying second-hand for Christmas - this is what you need to know - Teesside Live
Thinking of buying second-hand for Christmas - this is what you need to know
Second-hand or refurbished items can be a real bargain but are they safe or even value for money?
As Christmas draws near it can be a tough time to find the money to buy the ever-increasing demands and costs of presents.
The pressure of Christmas can be hard for some people, particularly if you have had a reduction in income.
One option is to look to the second-hand or refurbished market which can save up to hundreds of pounds on things like phones and computers, depending on what you are buying.
But is it safe or even value for money?
We’ve asked Jim McCluskey, Principal Trading Standards Officer for Middlesbrough Council for his advice on what you need to look out for.
What are my rights if I buy from a shop?
If you buy second-hand goods from a retailer, such as a charity shop, you have the same rights as when you buy new goods. This is that the goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for their purpose and as described. Of course when thinking of satisfactory quality you have to make allowance for the fact that the goods are second-hand, so they may not be quite as pristine as if you had bought new.
If you buy second-hand goods online from a trader then you are covered by The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and this means that if you don’t like what you have ordered for any reason you can cancel and get a full refund. You must cancel within 14 days of the day after you received the goods. So, if you are buying second-hand goods online from a reputable trader you may find it easier to return goods for a refund if you aren’t happy with them than if you bought from a high street shop, as you have this automatic right to cancel. Shoppers need to be aware that they will lose their right to cancel online purchases if they unseal second-hand audio, video recordings or computer software that were sealed at the time of delivery.
A major concern for consumers when buying second-hand electrical goods is safety. Sellers of second-hand electrical goods are responsible for ensuring the goods meet legal safety requirements and sellers may be liable to pay compensation if they sell unsafe goods, which then cause injury or damage. They could also face prosecution in the criminal courts for selling unsafe goods. Retailers, including second-hand dealers, must only sell appliances that are correctly fitted with an approved plug, with sleeved neutral and live pins, and the correct fuse.
Top Tips for buying second hand electrical goods
Use reputable high street or online sellers only and make sure you have the seller’s full address and not just a phone number.
Remember you have less rights if you buy from a private individual.
Check that the product comes with manufacturer’s contact details and instructions for use?
Do a price check. Is the price much less than expected? The item could be fake. If you suspect a product is fake you should contact your local Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service as the product may be dangerous to use.
What if it doesn’t work properly?
Stop using the product immediately if it doesn’t work properly all of the time or the outer casing is hot to the touch.
Of course, as well as fake goods, there is always a danger that what seems to be a bargain could turn out to be stolen goods, particularly if you have bought from an unknown seller.
If you think you have bought stolen goods then you should contact the Police on 101 to hand over the goods. You shouldn’t be in trouble if you didn’t know, or had genuine reason not to believe, that the goods were stolen. Ask the seller for a refund as soon as you can. The police will give you a crime reference number and property log number when you hand the item in. Show these to the seller as proof that you’ve handed the item in, along with your receipt or any other proof of purchase.