Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers: ***NEWS RELEASE***: YONKERS MAYOR SPANO & CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU PROVIDE RESIDENTS HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: YONKERS MAYOR SPANO & CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU

PROVIDE RESIDENTS HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS.

 

 

YONKERS, NY – December 8, 2022 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and the City’s Consumer Protection Bureau today issued holiday shopping tips, reminding residents about New York State legislation regulating gift cards and gift certificates and alerting residents on how to file a complaint with the Yonkers Consumer Protection Bureau.

“With the holidays upon us, most people are preoccupied with the festivities of the season and the safety precautions we normally take can be forgotten,” said Mayor Spano. “The Yonkers Consumer Protection Bureau asks that you take note of these shopping tips and the guidelines our businesses must follow to ensure our residents have a fair, happy and safe holiday.”

Effective December 10^th, New York State law strengthens the protections afforded to consumers regulating gift cards and gift certificates:

 

·       Eliminates fees (except certain activation fees)

·       Prohibits expiration dates earlier than nine years from issuance, forbids devaluation of funds from lack of use, and establishes a cash redemption mechanism.

 

Additionally, according to the City Code of Yonkers, businesses must abide by the following guidelines:

 

·       Prices for goods must be clearly displayed, either on the product or with a sign at the point of display.  You should not be required to ask the price of merchandise.

·       Businesses must post a sign clearly stating the store’s policies regarding refunds, exchanges or credit.  While they are allowed to put limitations on refunds and exchanges, they must warn you of those limitations, prior to purchase.

·       If the sale of an item has been advertised, but is unavailable for purchase, a rain check must be offered for the consumer to purchase it at the sale price within 30 days.  If quantities are limited, such quantities must be clearly stated.

·       In any transaction totaling more than $1, a sales slip, register check or receipt must be presented to the customer at the time of purchase.

The Yonkers Consumer Protection Bureau also advises residents to be mindful of the following shopping tips as they head out to stores and shop online this season:

·       Save your receipt, return items in their original packaging and beware of restocking fees (especially for electronics).

·       When buying gifts in advance: get a gift receipt and make sure the item can be returned or exchanged after the holidays.

·       If you are shopping online, make sure you are buying from a reputable company and always make sure that their website is secure before providing any payment information.

 

In the event that any of the City Codes are violated, shoppers are encouraged to file a complaint with the Yonkers Consumer Protection Bureau by calling (914) 377-3000, e-mailing ConsumerHelp@YonkersNY.gov or downloading a complaint form at www.YonkersNY.gov. If warranted, representatives may seek a refund on the resident’s behalf.