• The law prevails over shop policies and terms and conditions attached to them.
• Shop policies only prevail in situations where consumer law does not apply, such as change-of-mind situations.
• Consumers should examine the goods before finalising the purchase.
• The European Consumer Centre’s ‘Ask Howard’ has useful tips to reduce the risk of purchasing from a scam trader (www.eccnetmalta.gov.mt/howard)
• Consumers should keep the proof of purchase because if items turn out to be faulty, they may need such proof to claim the legal remedies.