Black Friday consumers should know their rights, says Which?

Consumers are being urged to ensure they know their rights ahead of the Black Friday sales frenzy.

Many shoppers are unaware that their rights vary between online retailers and bricks-and-mortar stores, Which? has warned.

Consumers who buy online have additional rights that ensure them 14 days from the time of delivery to return the product for a full refund if it is not faulty, with some exceptions for items such as personalised products.

However shoppers can only return non-faulty goods to high street stores for an exchange or refund if the retailer allows it.

Consumers should check a store's returns policy when they buy - shops are not required by law to have such a policy but they must stick to it if they do.

When it comes to faulty goods, retailers must abide by strict rules contained in the Consumer Rights Act, so it is best to return products to the store in the first instance.

But there is a limit of 30 days to return a faulty product for a refund, after which the retailer has the option of repairing or replacing the faulty product in the first instance rather than having to give a refund.