European Consumer Centre Luxembourg Shares Valentine's Day Shopping Tips

The European Consumer Centre (ECC) Luxembourg has shared some consumer tips ahead of Valentine's Day.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, some people are tempted to offer their partner a gift. However, depending on if one buys a gift in a shop or online, the conditions may change, warned the ECC Luxembourg.

In-store purchase

If a gift purchased in a shop does not make one's loved one happy, in principle, one does not have the right to exchange it. Vendors do not always accept exchanges or returns, except in the case of a commercial gesture. This is not the case if the gift purchased is faulty or does not correspond to the initial offer. In these cases, one is entitled to a repair, a replacement or, if this is not possible, a refund or a reduction of the purchase price.

Online purchase

When purchasing a Valentine's Day gift online, one has fourteen days to withdraw, without having to specify any reason. The only costs one may be charged are the cost of returning the item, or a proportional amount corresponding to the part of the service carried out prior to withdrawal. However, there are exceptions, such as the purchase of customised products or a leisure offer booked for a specific date. As such, the ECC Luxembourg has advised consumers to think carefully before buying a piece of jewellery with an engraving, a clothing item with a personalised print, or a concert ticket. This also applies to rapidly perishable goods such as cut flowers.

Vouchers

The ECC Luxembourg recalled that consumers can also opt for a voucher as a gift. In Luxembourg, Belgium and France, the vendor issuing the voucher may also set the conditions for its use. A voucher that has passed its expiry date can no longer be accepted. Nevertheless, as a commercial gesture, some vendors will still accept the voucher, extend its validity or refund the amount of the voucher. However, there is no legal obligation to do so. In Germany, the law allows the validity of a voucher to be restricted, added the ECC Luxembourg.

The European Consumer Centre Luxembourg (ECC Luxembourg) GIE is part of a network of 29 European Consumer Centres in the European Union, as well as in Iceland and Norway. The ECCNet also cooperates with the International Consumer Centre in the UK. These centres inform consumers about European consumer law and assist them in the settlement of cross-border consumer matters. The services are free of charge.