Research shows that 16-20 year-olds get a tougher deal than their elders when it comes to consumer rights.

Commissioned by the Solihull Consumer Support Network, set up to provide shoppers with better knowledge of their consumer rights, the research identified how your age very much determines the deal you get when returning goods to a store.

"We were shaken to learn that many of the young adults interviewed had been made to feel guilty about returning goods which were clearly faulty," said councillor Robin Draycott, chairman of Solihull Council's environmental health committee.

"The classic example is trainers. Returning to the store, many shopkeepers put youths under suspicion for either abusing or deliberately damaging the footwear.

"To add insult to injury, when they finally identify the goods as faulty and a refund should be offered, the retailer commandeers the trainers for return to the manufacturer.

"So now the young adult's money is tied up in a new pair of trainers which is no longer his or her possession."

Maria Veitch, manager from Shirley Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) said: "We found that 16-20 year-olds with part-time jobs in shops and those who study business, have more confidence when negotiating purchasing problems. But the majority of those asked were unaware that they should inspect goods as thoroughly as possible before they buy them.

"They also need to know that they're entitled to a full refund should the goods be faulty and that you don't need a receipt, providing the goods are sold in that store and you have some other proof of purchase. Sale goods are also subject to the same legislation."

Jenny Armstrong, manager from Solihull CAB, said: "As a result of the research, we have a better understanding of the type of products purchased by younger people and the problems they regularly encounter.

"We've also learned how reluctant they are to involve their parents who they see as having too little time already. They also mistrust purchasing over the Internet although acknowledge that for specialist goods, it's another alternative."

"The Solihull Consumer Support Network is now bidding for additional funding from the Department of Trade and Industry in order that we may work with these young people and help them develop a better understanding of their rights," said Simon Jones, manager of Chelmsley Wood CAB.

"We'll be focusing on the issues with their most regular purchases - footwear, clothes, jewellery, music, computer games and bags - as well as the more exceptional purchases such as mobiles, hi-fi and personal stereos.

"We want them to help us develop the best ways of getting consumer advice over to young people."

The article Shopping ageism exposed originally appeared on 999 Today