Other Consumer Advice Resources
Last updated | 01/11/2011
Consumer Direct
Consumer Direct - the national
consumer advice service.
- Consumer Direct is available on a single national telephone
number, 0845 404 05 06, from 8:00 am -
6:30 pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00 am - 1:00
pm 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 Institute 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 The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's
Home or Place of Work Regulations 2008.
Age restricted products and underage sales
Cigarettes, fireworks and videos are just a few of the
products that carry age restrictions.
Better Business Partnership
Perth & Kinross 'trusted trader' scheme is 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. Click here to see the list of members.
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 Trading Standards 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 www.ripofftipoff.net
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
The Direct Marketing Association provide a report about the
Facts and Figures of Advertising 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 £3000. 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 or
Scottish Courts.
