LONDON, October 22 /PRNewswire/ --

- Computeractive's Free Guide Provides Help in Plain English

In the run up to Christmas many of us will be purchasing gifts from
online retailers. Many of these online shops don't play by the rules, however
- and when this happens it can be hard to know what to do.

Computeractive magazine is giving away a free two-page guide to consumer
rights as part of its Fair and Square campaign. This gives shoppers all the
advice they need to demand fair treatment, presented in plain English.

The free guide will also help shoppers to avoid common mistakes made at
Christmas, such as buyers putting presents away without inspecting them and
so abandoning their legal rights.

"Putting a gift away until Christmas morning, rather than inspecting it
when it arrives, abandons your right to return it under the Distance Selling
Regulations. It's vital to check what has been delivered so that you have
time to return it if necessary," said Computeractive Editor Paul Allen.

The free guide can be downloaded from:
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/fair

Computeractive surveyed 3,500 people for the Fair and Square campaign and
found that many online shops are breaking the law and getting away with it as
buyers aren't aware of their legal rights. In particular:

- 55% of consumers have been told that they need to return faulty goods
      to the manufacturer. This is incorrect - the shop is responsible for
      helping them.

    - One in six of those polled have been charged an entirely fraudulent
      "restocking" or "administration" fee

    - 54% of those polled said they do not understand their rights when
      shopping online



The Computeractive Fair and Square campaign has discovered that many
online retailers ignore laws such as the Distance Selling Regulations. Some
charge illegal "restocking fees", while others refuse to accept goods
returned within the seven working day* window set out by law.

The Fair and Square campaign has already scored one notable success.
After it highlighted an illegal clause in the terms and conditions of
computer giant Apple's UK online store, the company acted swiftly to change
its policy**.

"Online shopping can be great value, but some websites don't act within
the laws set up to protect consumers. We hope that our guide will give
shoppers the confidence to demand fair treatment," said Paul Allen

Notes to editors:

- Tom Royal, Computeractive's deputy editor, is available for comment and
      interview. Contact: Tom Royal, Deputy Editor,
      tom.royal@incisivemedia.com, +44(0)207-316-9612

    - Additional information about The Fair and Square campaign can be found
      at http://www.computeractive.co.uk/fair

    - Further resources for media, such as campaign logos, can be obtained by
      contacting Louise Newland, Marketing Manager of Computeractive,
      louise.newland@incisivemedia.com, Tel: +44(0)207-316-9000



*The Distance Selling regulations require that customers must notify the
retailer that they wish to return the goods in question within seven working
days from the day after the goods arrive. They are not obliged to actually
return the goods in this period.

** Details available at http://www.computeractive.co.uk/2216811/

About Computeractive

- Computeractive is a fortnightly title, with a circulation of 216,031.
      The cover price is GBP1.79 and the magazine is available throughout the
      UK or by subscription.

    - Computeractive is published by Incisive Media. More information is
      available at http://www.computeractive.co.uk



About Incisive Media

Incisive Media is a fast growing specialist business information provider
operating in four markets: financial services, risk management, professional
services and marketing services. The Company delivers key information to
defined target audiences across a variety of platforms in print, through
magazines; in person via conferences, exhibitions and training programmes;
and online through its various websites. Incisive Media's market leading
brands include Investment Week, Professional Pensions, Your Mortgage, Post
Magazine, Risk, Unquote, Search Engine Strategies and Legal Week.