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The vast majority of business are honest and deal with their customers reputably. But it's still a good idea to be fully aware of your rights and how to exercise them when paying for anything. It will make it quicker and easier for you and the other party to resolve any problems.

As a rule of thumb, when you go shopping make sure that what you are buying looks ok and is working before you pay for it. And remember to get a receipt for everything you buy and keep that receipt in a safe place.

Even if what you bought seems fine at the time, there are still problems that can happen afterwards. In these cases you have a legal right to ask for your money back - whether you bought the goods from a shop, a market, a catalogue, or from a door-to-door seller. It doesn't even matter if the goods were bought in a sale.

But you must act as soon as possible - delaying could affect your rights.

The law says that anything you buy must be described correctly. If not, you can ask for your money back.

For example - you buy a CD of your favourite music. But when you play it you find it is actually a different singer. Take it back to the seller as soon as you can.

If you were given a receipt take this back as well, as it will show when and where you bought the CD. Tell the seller that the wrong CD was inside the case. They should offer you the right CD - but if not you can ask for your money back.

The law says that anything you buy must work and must do the things it is supposed to do.

What if you bought an alarm clock, and when you got home you discovered that it doesn't keep the right time and the alarm doesn't work. Not much of an alarm clock - so take it and the receipt back the shop. And If the shop assistant you speak to is rude or unhelpful, ask to see the manager.

They may offer to fix the clock, but you don't have to accept this. You are perfectly within your rights to ask for your money back.

The law says that anything you buy must be of satisfactory quality. This means is must not be spoiled in any way and must not have anything wrong with it.

You buy what looks like a great jacket in a shop. But when you wear it for the first time you see that most of the buttons are loose and some of them even fall off.

Take it back. And If a friend was with you when you bought the jacket ask them if they will go back to the shop with you as support.

The shop might offer you another jacket, or they might offer you a credit note so that you can buy something else there. If you do not want to buy anything else from that shop you don't have to accept the credit note. You can still ask for your money back.

You also have legal rights when buying something to eat or drink at a café or restaurant.

In a café or restaurant you should get the meal that you ask for and it should be as described by the menu or by the waiter.

If you ask for a hot pie but it is cold, you can send it back for a hot one. If they won't do this you can ask for you money back. But make sure you complain before you eat the pie or any other unsatisfactory food.

Always remember these 3 things …

• Get a receipt for everything you buy - especially things that cost a lot of money.
  
• If there is something wrong with what you have bought - take it back and tell the seller as soon as you can.
  
• You do not have to accept a replacement, repairs or a credit note. In all cases you can ask for your money back.
  

When does a shop not have to give you your money back?

A shop does not have to give you your money back if:

• You were told there was something wrong with the goods before you bought them
  
• You just change your mind and decide you don't want what you have bought
  
• You spoiled or broke the goods after buying them
  
• You bought clothes that don't fit you.

Most shops act fairly and value their customers. So they will usually try to help you in some way - even if it's not a full refund.

What if a shop or stall holder does not help you?

If you go back to the shop or market stall you bought the goods from and the seller is not helpful, ask a friend or supporter to go back with you. You could also print out this information and take it with you.

If the person who sold you the goods is still not helpful there are places you can go for free help and advice.

Consumer Direct is a national helpline for consumers. They can give advice on most consumer problems. Telephone 08454 04 05 06 -or for Minicom users: 08451 28 13 84.

They're open from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and from 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays - but not on bank or public holidays.

Your local Trading Standards department can help, especially if goods have been wrongly described or priced. You will find the address and phone number in the telephone book under your local authority, or just phone 01241 435600.

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help with many problems, including shopping complaints. Call these local offices:

Arbroath - 01241 870661.
Forfar - 01307 467097.
Montrose - 01674 673263.

Words you should familiarise yourself with…

Complaint - when you tell a shop that something is wrong with the goods you bought.

Credit Note - sometimes a shop might offer you a credit note instead of your money back. The credit note will let you buy something that costs the same as the goods you have taken back. You don't have to accept the credit note - you can ask for your money back.

Goods - the name given to anything you buy.

Legal Rights - when the law says that you are protected in some way. This webpage tells you when you have a legal right to ask for your money back.

Receipt - a piece of paper showing what you have bought, how much it cost, where you bought it from, and when you bought it. You should be given a receipt whenever you buy something - if not ask for one.

Refund - the money you can get back from a shop when you take back goods that have something wrong with them.

Repair - work that is done to mend something that does not work. A shop might offer to repair goods instead of giving you your money back. You are perfectly entitled to refuse this.

Replacement - goods that a shop might offer you instead of your money back. You do not have to accept a replacement.