CCPC warns Online shoppers ahead of 'Black Friday'
2 in 5 (39%) consumers are planning to make a purchase during the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales
Ahead of next weekend’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is reminding online shoppers of the importance of checking where a business is based before they buy.
This follows research, commissioned by the CCPC, which shows that the majority of those who shop online look to the currency and IP address of the website before they buy goods.
The CCPC is reminding consumers that neither can be used as guarantees of a business’s location and is urging them to check for a registered address before they buy, to ensure they have strong rights under EU consumer protection law.
The CCPC’s research findings confirm that most consumers are familiar with shopping online, with the majority (76%) of those surveyed having bought online over the previous 12 months. However, 32% of consumers believe that their rights are the same irrespective of where a business is based when in fact consumer rights do not automatically apply if you buy from a business based outside of the EU.
When asked which checks they would carry out before buying online from a business they have never used before, 86% said they would look to the currency detailed on the website; 67% check the IP address such as ‘.ie’ or ‘.co.uk’ while 59% would check out information on the business’s social media accounts before they buy. Looking for the business’s postal address was the fourth most popular check (57%), followed by reading social influencer reviews (23%). 3% of those surveyed said they made no checks prior to buying online.
The CCPC say that when shopping online, it’s important that consumers check the registered address of a business before they make a purchase. “This is an essential step, even if the site has a ‘.ie’ or ’.eu’ domain or displays prices in euros. If the registered address is outside of the EU (including the UK) then EU consumer rights do not automatically apply, which may make it more difficult for consumers to resolve any issues such as delayed deliveries or faulty products.”
The CCPC’s insights show that 2 in 5 (39%) consumers are planning to make a purchase during the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Younger consumers are most likely to avail of the sales, with 75% of under-25s reporting that they are likely to make a purchase. Of those intending to snap up a bargain, 8 in 10 (79%) plan to carry out pre-sale research on prices to confirm that the retailer’s marked discount reflects the previous full price. However, pre-sale price checks were least likely to be carried out by those under 25 (28%).
The CCPC is encouraging consumers to do their research and to be cautious about taking offers at face value.
Grainne Griffin, Director of Communications with the CCPC said: “In light of the recent reports of shortages and delays, businesses also need to be aware that if they advertise a product for sale with delivery by a certain date, they need to stand by that commitment. In recent weeks, we took enforcement action against a business for misleading consumers about the availability of Play Station 5’s last Christmas. We will continue to monitor for similar misleading practices this Christmas and will use our powers to take enforcement actions against traders who breach consumer protection law.”
If any consumer needs additional information on their consumer rights, of they are having difficulty with a purchase they can visit the website at www.ccpc.ie, or call our helpline on 01 402 5555.