With the start of the summer sales season, the European Consumer Centre in Spain (ECC-Spain) is issuing a series of recommendations aimed at protecting consumers’ rights and promoting responsible, safe and informed shopping.
The Centre reminds consumers that discounts applied during the sales must not result in a reduction in product quality or a curtailment of consumers’ legally recognised rights. In this regard, discounted products must clearly display the previous price alongside the new reduced price, as well as all information relating to taxes, delivery charges or other additional costs.
Furthermore, the CEC-Spain emphasises that the minimum three-year legal guarantee remains fully applicable during the sales period. Only in the case of second-hand goods may this guarantee be reduced to one year, provided the consumer has been informed of this in advance.
Similarly, distance purchases, such as those made online, by telephone or by post, continue to be protected by the right of withdrawal. Consumers therefore have a period of 14 calendar days to return the product without having to justify their decision, bearing only the direct costs of return, unless the seller has expressly stated that they will cover these costs.
Be cautious about financing your purchases
Given the increase in spending during this period, the CEC-Spain recommends planning expenditure carefully and avoiding situations of excessive debt. In particular, it warns against the use of certain financing methods, such as revolving credit cards, which allow for low monthly repayments but can result in high financial costs as a large proportion of the payments goes towards interest and only a small portion towards repaying the principal.
General tips for the sales
• Make a list of the items you really need and set a budget in advance.
• Compare prices and terms at different shops well in advance.
• Keep your receipts, invoices and any other documentation relating to your purchase.
Safe online shopping
In the field of e-commerce, the CEC-Spain advises:
• Verify the company’s identity by checking its name or business name, tax registration number, address and contact details. This information can be found in the Legal Notice or Terms and Conditions on the website.
• Review all essential information about the product or service before making the purchase (price, additional costs, payment method, delivery times, right of withdrawal, validity period of the offer).
• Confirm that the website is secure and that the address begins with “https”.
• Read the terms and conditions of the contract carefully.
• Preferably use credit cards, avoiding bank transfers where possible.
Recommendations before financing a purchase
• Set a realistic budget in line with your disposable income.
• Only finance what is strictly necessary. Before taking on debt, consider whether it is possible to save.
• Check the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to find out the true cost of the loan, including interest and associated charges.
• Carefully analyse the terms, interest rates and repayment periods of any financing or deferred payment arrangements.
With these recommendations, the CEC-Spain encourages consumers to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the summer sales in a responsible, informed and safe manner, avoiding impulsive decisions that could affect their finances and ensuring they fully exercise their rights.