Although there is no longer a legislative regulation defining the time period for sales, July remains the month during which the majority of shops proceed with significant price reductions.

With the rising cost of living increasingly affecting households, consumers are called upon to plan their purchases carefully, limiting impulsive spending and managing their disposable income with greater prudence.

On the occasion of the sales period, the Cyprus Consumers Association addresses a series of recommendations to the consumer public, in order for purchases to be made safely and for consumers to take advantage of real bargains, avoiding misleading practices. Specifically, the Association advises consumers to:

1. Conduct market research and determine their budget in advance, recording the prices of the products they are interested in, so they can ascertain whether the discounts are real.

2. Study the characteristics of products before purchasing, paying particular attention to availability and delivery times, especially in online shopping.

3. Seek reviews and compare prices among different suppliers before proceeding with a purchase.

4. Check that discounted products display both the previous and the new selling price, in accordance with the law. The previous price is considered to be the lowest selling price of the product during the last 30 days.

5. Be particularly skeptical of excessively large discounts, such as over 90%, as these may involve misleading practices.

6. Carefully examine the price tag, as complaints have been recorded in the past regarding the alteration of the original price with stickers.

7. Ensure that any restrictions on offers, such as specific sizes or colors, are clearly stated.

8. Inquire about the change and return policy of each business, as this determines the amount refunded in the event of a product exchange.

9. Avoid purchases from e-shops of doubtful reliability, which do not provide full contact details or operate exclusively through social media.

10. Exercise caution when subscribing to newsletters, as their personal data may be used to create consumer profiles and personalized advertising.

11. Assess the reliability of the seller, particularly when dealing with high-value products such as mobile phones or computers.

12. Always request the purchase receipt, as it is necessary for exercising their rights in the event of a defective product.

13. Know that for online purchases or purchases made outside a commercial establishment, they have a right of withdrawal within 14 days of receiving the product.

14. Remember that the rights to repair, replacement, price reduction, or withdrawal in the event of a defective product apply normally during the sales period as well. The Cyprus Consumers Association points out that if consumers detect any violation, they can contact the Association at [email protected] or the Consumer Line of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry by calling 1429.