At the traditional start of the winter sales, the Municipal Office of Consumer Information (OMIC) of the Martorell City Council calls on people to bet on local trade and recalls some recommendations to take advantage of this period safely and responsible
Sales are currently fully liberalized and there is no mandatory period, that is to say, businesses can decide for themselves the terms, the discount percentage and which items they apply it to, based on their needs or commercial interests.
In Catalonia, the winter sales traditionally start on January 7, but as in other years, many stores and especially the big stores advance their sales to encourage the end of the Christmas campaign and Twelfth Night shopping.
Ferran Riera, consumer technician from the Martorell City Council, advises that before buying, “make a list and buy only what we really need. It also recommends identifying which products are really discounted and checking that they show the original price and the discounted price or the discount percentage”.
It is also interesting to “consult the return policy of the establishment. In some shops, special conditions are established for purchases during sales periods, which must be clearly indicated and in a place visible to the consumer”.
Ferran Riera, tècnic de Consum Ajuntament de Martorell
However, the Consumer technician recommends “prioritizing shops that adhere to the Consumer Arbitration System, keeping the ticket or simplified invoice for purchases, to have the right to change, return or claim after the purchase”.
On the other hand, Riera reminds us that “it is mandatory for all establishments to have complaint forms at the disposal of their customers”. It is perceptive to also display a sign announcing the existence of these sheets in public view.
Ferran Riera, tècnic de Consum Ajuntament de Martorell
In the event of disagreement with the store, you must request the official complaint form or contact via a means that records it (web form, phone with incident number, etc.). If in 30 days the establishment does not offer a solution or this is not satisfactory, the consumer can contact the OMIC Martorell. Finally, remember that discounted products must have the same quality and features as they had at a non-discounted price.
The after-sales service and the application of guarantees are the same during sales as during the rest of the year. If the store accepts cards or other means of payment on a regular basis, it must also do so during sales periods.
Source: martorelldigital.cat
