Consumer advice
Have you ever felt conned or ripped off by a business or tradesperson?
Getting refunds for faulty items, or trying to find out where your undelivered goods have gone can be frustrating.
This is where trading standards can help.
We provide support and advice for consumers and businesses, and help to ensure that companies don't take advantage of vulnerable customers.
Consumer advice in Perth and Kinross
We will handle complaints against companies or businesses trading in Perth & Kinross.
We also handle consumer complaints made by residents of Perth & Kinross.
If you need to make a complaint, please:
provide all the relevant details and documents
be prepared to provide statements about what has happened
if necessary, be prepared to attend court as a witness We aim to provide an initial response within three working days.
Responsibilities of Trading Standards
General Guidance on complaints handled by Perth & Kinross Trading Standards
Civil law complaints:
- If the complainant resides in Perth and Kinross, the complainant will only be given advice and information in respect of the civil complaint, regardless of location of trader.
- If the complainant resides outside Perth and Kinross and trader located in Perth and Kinross, we will direct the complainant to their local Trading Standards Service.
- We will attempt to give you enough information and advice to enable you to take the appropriate action. (See Small Claims information below)
For advice on a range of consumer topics/issues, visit Trading Standards Central. Advice on writing letters of complaint and sample letters can be found at Consumer Direct.
Criminal law complaints:
- Where the complainant and trader are both in Perth and Kinross, the complaint will be fully investigated.
- If the trader is located outwith Perth and Kinross, but the locus of offence is in Perth and Kinross, we will normally investigate the complaint fully.
- We offer free advice to consumers and businesses as well as investigating offences and prosecuting offenders.
Criminal legislation enforced
- Some of the areas we are responsible for include: description and safety of consumer goods, estate agents' property descriptions, credit and loans, pricing and ensuring weights and measures equipment is correct. Details of some of the legislation can be found here.
All consumer complaints
- We will advise you about your legal rights when buying goods or services.
- In addition we have a wide range of advisory leaflets to assist in the resolution of consumer problems free of charge.
- All staff will respond to customers in a courteous, helpful and positive manner and will make their identity known to the customer.
- Where the service is not authorised to deal with an enquiry we will endeavour to direct the customer to the correct agency.
- The customer will be clearly advised, if in our opinion, no action is possible by anyone.
- If a home visit is required we will arrange a suitable appointment.
What is the difference between Civil Law & Criminal law?
Visit AskCedric.org for a brief explanation
We are not able to:
- demand refunds
- demand replacements
- demand apologies from traders
- close traders down
- take court action on your behalf
Other Resources
Consumer Direct
Consumer Direct, the national consumer advice service.
- Consumer Direct is available on a single national telephone number - 0845 404 05 06 - from 0800 - 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 - 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
- A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users can call 08451 28 13 84.
- Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
- Consumer Direct is available in England, Scotland and Wales. Consumers from Northern Ireland should contact ConsumerLine on 08456 00 62 62.
Their website also contains templates of complaint letters and fact sheets about your consumer rights. Includes information about your consumer rights, details about the latest scams and general tips for shoppers.This online and telephone advice service is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry .
Product safety recalls
Companies may recall products or issue safety warnings if they feel that the public are at risk. The most recent product recalls are published on the Trading Standards central website.
Doorstep sales
Many people find high-pressure doorstep sellers intimidating. Remember, just because someone has come to your house it doesn't mean that you are obliged to buy. Even if you do choose to buy something from a doorstep seller, you still have rights as a consumer.
Most doorstep transactions are covered by doorstep selling regulations. Information about your rights is available from the Doorstoppers website.
Age restricted products and underage sales
Cigarettes, fireworks & videos are just a few of the products that carry age restrictions. For further info see legislation link to underage in enforcement pages.
Better Business Partnership
Perth & Kinross 'trusted trader' scheme. Now recognised nationally by the Office of Fair Trading. If you are looking for a tradesman try a member of this voluntary registration scheme first.
Other useful sites
There are a number of websites devoted to consumer issues including misleading advertising and getting legal advice.
TS Central
A variety of advice leaflets is available from the Trading Standards Institute website TS Central. These advice leaflets offer information on a variety of consumer issues and problems.
Office of Fair Tading
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) offers a wide range of information about your rights as a consumer.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) offers advice on a wide range of topics, including benefits, housing, employment and debt, consumer and legal issues.
Rip-off Tip-off
From bogus offers to cowboy builders, if you think someone is trying to rip-off the public then this is the website to report them on. Includes a section about typical cons. Visit the Rip-off Tip-off website.
Advertising Standards Authority
The Advertising Standards Authority is the independent body set up by the advertising industry to police the rules laid down in the advertising codes.
Make complaints about misleading advertising or marketing.
Unwanted sales calls and junk mail
Small Claims in the Sheriff Court
A small claim in the sheriff court is meant to provide a simple, quick, informal and inexpensive way to settle civil claims worth up to £750. It allows you to take legal action without having to use a solicitor. It is a do-it-yourself procedure although a friend or adviser can act as your representative. Some legal aid may be available but it is not available for a solicitor to represent you. A special feature of the small claims procedure is that in most cases there is a limit to the legal expenses which can be awarded.
Further advice ia available from the Citizens Advice Bureau website
