Your statutory rights are not altered just because goods are on sale or offered at a reduced price. You have a right to expect that goods should be of merchantable quality, fit for their purpose and as described, and you are still entitled to the legal guarantee.

Refunds, exchange and credit notes

If, after having bought and paid for a garment, you take it back to the shop from where you bought it because, in hindsight you decided that: it doesn't fit; you don't like the colour; and/or you didn't need the outfit after all you are not entitled to a refund or credit note. This is not limited to garments but rather applies to any item bought on which you change various opinions.

However some shops may allow consumers to return unused goods that are not faulty, on production of proof of purchase. It is very important to remember that they are not legally obliged to give you your money back.

Such outlets only do so to promote customer goodwill and they deserve our custom on a goodwill basis and we have a list of such outlets which we feature regularly in this column (last featured on January 18).

Free gift vouchers

The consumer is bound by the terms and conditions of the voucher, which are set down and drawn up by the retailer. Generally such vouchers have a validity period of one year. However, yet again, this could be less or more than a year since this can be decided by the retailer.

Refund of deposit

If you enter into a written agreement with a retailer to buy a specific item and the retailer agrees either to order the product which he may not have in stock at the time, or the retailer has the item in question in storage in some other premises, you enter into a contractual relationship with the retailer.

Accordingly, you become bound by the contract when you hand over your deposit. This means that if you fail to fulfil your end of the bargain, you are liable for breach of contract, which technically means that the shop is within its rights to claim damages from you, and this could mean the deposit. Therefore, think very carefully before putting down deposits.