CHRISTMAS shoppers in South Warwickshire are being warned to take care when buying goods on the internet after a survey revealed many were let down by unrealistic delivery claims last year.

Warwickshire Trading Standards officers revealed this week that 38% of goods ordered by local consumers last year arrived late and 17% of goods never came at all.

Shoppers may be entitled to their money back if delivery before Christmas is guaranteed but does not happen, although care is still needed particularly as the national rail delays will hit delivery times.

To try and minimise problems, shoppers are advised to pay by credit card, ensure the website is secure, know where the company you are buying from is based, discover the total cost of any order before completing a purchase, get a confirmed delivery date, read the small print and keep a record of the transaction.

New distance selling regulations offer some protection to customers buying from within the European Union, which aims to ensure delivery within 30 days, although goods ordered from outside the EU do not have any protection.