Spending your money

It's easy to spend your money, and it's good fun. But to make sure you don't get ripped off, check out the information and tips below. Buying goods

Before you buy clothes or shoes make sure you have the right size, check the labels to see what they are made of and how you should take care of them. Can you afford to have something dry-cleaned every time? If there is nothing wrong with what you have bought, you have no automatic right to take it back because you have changed your mind or find that it is the wrong size. Ask when you buy whether you can take it back and always keep your receipt.

Don't be put off by the jargon which traders use. Manufacturers Recommended Price (MRP) is simply a suggested price for the item. Not many people sell it at this full price so you might not be getting much of a bargain for -?20% off recommended price-. Sale goods must have been on sale at a higher price for at least 28 days. If goods are marked as damaged, shop soiled, seconds etc. you should be warned that you will not be able to get your money back, but if the faults are so bad you can't use the goods, you can get your money back.

Internet Shopping

When you buy online you have the same rights as when you shop on the high street. One exception however is on Internet auction sites as you are dealing with another member of the public who is often anonymous. Some auction sites offer services or protection against fraud, but some don't, you need to read the terms and conditions about taking part carefully. One of the most important things to check before you buy is the way of paying. If you are paying by credit or debit card you need to make sure the site is secure - you can do this by checking for the closed padlock sign at the bottom of the screen and by looking for information about protection that the company uses. Other things to check for are any hidden costs such as postage. Try www.trustuk.org.uk for more independent advice about shopping online safely.

Faulty Goods

When you buy goods, you enter into a contract with the seller. Your side of the contract is to pay for the goods. In return the seller must ensure that:

• The goods are not broken or damaged (unless you have been warned of the faults beforehand).
• The goods are as described on the label, packet or by the sales staff. If a pre packed meal has a picture of a prawn curry on the packet, that's what should be inside!
• The goods are fit for the purpose they are made for (if the heel drops off your shoe in a week, it probably wasn't fit for ordinary wear). Remember you must use the goods properly. For instance if you play football or walk through the snow in light shoes, you cannot complain that they wear badly.

Guarantees on goods cannot change these rights, though they may give you extra ones. During the time the guarantee lasts, you may choose to complain about a fault to either the seller or the maker of the goods. Read guarantees carefully to see what they have to offer. If you have to pay for work done on repairs under guarantee, it may be better simply to use your ordinary rights and complain to the seller if there are faults.

If anything you buy is faulty (unless the seller warned beforehand):

• Always complain to the seller, not the manufacturer. Speak to either the manager or the owner. Think about what you want to say beforehand. Try to be polite - even if you feel like blowing your top! If you decide to complain over the phone, ask for the name of the person you are speaking to. Make a note of what is said, date it and keep it in a safe place.
• Stop using the goods immediately and take them back to the seller. If you have your receipt, take it with you, although a seller cannot refuse to consider your complaint just because you don't have it. If you send your goods by post, keep your receipt and tell the seller you have it.

Unless the fault is very small you may have a right to get all your money back, a replacement, repair or reduction in price. You are only entitled to get a full refund if you have not -?accepted' the goods - this means that you have not used them as your own or kept them for more than a short time. If you buy goods that become faulty within the first 6 months and you only ask for a repair or a replacement then it will be assumed that the product was faulty when you brought it - if the trader disagrees with this it is up to them to prove otherwise.