Three days left for online Xmas shopping

Only three days remain for online shoppers to order their Christmas presents if they want to guarantee the gifts arrive in time for the big day, one consumer advisory group is warning.

As long as you order by 23 November, goods should arrive by the final post day of 23 December at the latest.

If goods ordered before 23 November arrive after Christmas then online retailers should legally refund disappointed customers after failing to meet the obliged 30-day delivery period, according to consumer advice group Consumer Direct.

The group issued the advice following numerous complaints from angry customers about presents failing to turn up for Christmas last year.

"Our advice is very simple -- do your shopping early enough to make sure you're not disappointed," said Carol Brady, operations manager for Consumer Direct.

Despite lingering concerns about online shopping, consumers are expected to increasingly buy goods over the Internet in the run-up to Christmas. Many online retailers make the last order date for Christmas clear but people are still losing out, says Consumer Direct.