People need to be aware of their consumer rights as companies won't always tell them, Sinead Ryan has said.
Today marks World Consumer Rights Day as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs.
The day is globally recognised with support from the United Nations and other international bodies.
On The Hard Shoulder consumer journalist and host of The Home Show Sinead Ryan said there are lots of rights people may not realise they have.
"Mostly I get asked the same ones over and over again which are return of faulty goods or telecommunications companies - yes, Eir, we're looking at you," she said.
"[Eir] came top of the list in the report of highest complaints to the CCPC [Competition and Consumer Protection Commission].
"There are lots and lots of rights that people have that they may not realise are rights.
"We can't always rely on the companies to tell their customers about what they can and cannot do.
"So, I thought we'd dig out a few that may surprise you.
"The first one annoys me hugely: there is no requirement on anybody to show their boarding pass when they're buying stuff in the airport.
"It is only mandatory when you are entering a duty free zone.
"Within the EU you've a perfect right to buy anything you want in any airport, as long as your final destination is also within Europe.
"99% of the time 99% of the staff will argue with you because they have been inculcated with this view that it is a flight demand or some kind of customs thing - it is not.
"It's only when you're buying duty free products".
Sale items and statutory rights
Sinead said if someone buys something in a sale their right of return is not affected.
"Sometimes you'll see in a shop, 'No refunds or exchanges during sales' but they can't do that - that's against the law," she said.
"Your statutory rights apply even during sale time.
"You're entitled to a full refund of what you paid for any item that is faulty, not fit for purpose or not as described.
"It doesn't matter what you paid for it and it doesn't matter why."
Central Credit Register
Sinead said people should also be aware of the Central Credit Register which compiles details on anyone who has borrowed over €500.
"You are entitled, free of charge, to find out what information is held on that register about you," she said.
"If you're applying for any credit, the person providing that credit to you will look at that register.
"The only way you'll end up with a black mark is if you have missed a payment in the last two years.
"If you are applying for a decent loan I would go in and check that first, make sure that it's clear as a bell and you're not going to have any problem from the bank for that reason".
Sinead said it is also illegal to falsely claim limited availability, such as with flight seats or hotel rooms.
"There may be a getaround [to say] 'At this price on this day', but you can't just say that just to get people to enter into quick sales," she added.
More information on consumer rights can be found here
