Trading Standards Institute

...site is maintained by the Trading Standards Institute, whose aims include ". . .promoting excellence and enhancing the professionalism of members in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses and targeting rogue traders". Sound good? Read on. . .

. . .Even though the site carries a vast amount of information, it is structured in such a way as to make whatever you are looking for accessible with just a ...
...the press, which currently includes Trading Standards' push for new legislation to be invoked to protect the consumer. There is a quite a lot of information in this section which does make interesting reading for those interested in the processes involved for pressuring Government into taking action.



~~ Business section ~~
Primarily aimed at businesses, providing details of their obligations under the law. This ... more

At last. . .a one-stop shop (or in this case, web site) for consumers to learn everything they need to know about consumer law and their rights under it. No longer do you have to accept shoddy workmanship or goods that are not fit. Just look on this free site, copy the legislation and amaze the unhelpful trader with your vast knowledge.
The web site is maintained by the Trading Standards Institute, whose aims include ". . .promoting excellence and enhancing the professionalism of members in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses and targeting rogue traders". Sound good? Read on. . .

. . .Even though the site carries a vast amount of information, it is structured in such a way as to make whatever you are looking for accessible with just a couple of clicks. It would be impossible to review everything that this site has to offer. So for the sake of brevity, I will skim over the site's content in order to give you a taste of what is on offer. Remember that everything on the site is current legislation (unless stated otherwise) and may therefore be deemed as a true reflection of the law as it stands today. Even though the legislation is exact copies of statutes, the advice leaflets are written in everyday language, thus making the site accessible to everyone.

~~ Advice Leaflets available ~~
The advice leaflets are split into five separate categories and carry a useful location key, explaining which areas it pertains to: England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

~~ Problems with goods ~~

Buying Goods - general
Your rights to cancel at home
Your rights when buying on credit
A guide to wise shopping
Guarantees and warranties
Is the trader right?

~~ Problems with services ~~

Buying services
Is the trader right?
Agents and agencies
Your rights when buying on credit
Guarantees and warranties
Shopping on the Internet - top ten tips

~~ Problems with cars ~~

Second-hand cars - consumer rights
A-Z of motoring tips and information
Vehicle repairs and servicing
Car clocking and how to avoid it
Guarantees and warranties

~~ If you are in dispute ~~

Is the trader right?
Writing a letter of complaint
Checklist
Getting evidence to Prove your claim

~~ Other consumer problems ~~

Holidays
Package holidays and the disabled traveller
Home working schemes
Environmental claims
Booking one day sales
Electric blanker servicing
Shopping on the Internet
Credit terminology. What does it all mean?
Credit - cancellation and withdrawal from credit agreements
Credit - early settlement explained
Credit - the facts
Gas and electricity competition
Hiring goods

~~ What's new? ~~
Advice booklet on Internet shopping. Your rights as a consumer

~~ Press listings ~~
Information on details submitted to the press, which currently includes Trading Standards' push for new legislation to be invoked to protect the consumer. There is a quite a lot of information in this section which does make interesting reading for those interested in the processes involved for pressuring Government into taking action.

~~ Business section ~~
Primarily aimed at businesses, providing details of their obligations under the law. This is a relatively comprehensive area, offering the trader full details of their duties to consumers, effectively dealing with the issue at source. Businesses are informed of Government policy, general codes of conduct, enforcement proceedings, as well as a multitude of other things - not just interesting to businesses though.

~~ For consumers ~~
As well as the advice leaflets and other information produced, details are also enclosed here of consumer protection events for those wishing to take a more active involvement in this area, along with a weekly quiz. The events detailed include, Young Consumer of the Year Competition 2001, which invites 14-17 years old throughout the UK to participate in a knockout quiz, with the winner obtaining £1,000 for their school. The principle behind the quiz being a means to preparing youngsters for the consumer market. Topics include: food and health, travel, money and finance. (There are several other nation-wide competitions)

~~ Europe - Introduction ~~
This area is developing as a means of advice and information on cross-border consumer problems. Asking such questions as 'Where can a consumer turn if they have problems with goods and services bought in another EU country." This is highly topical with the Internet growing as such a phenomenal pace and goods being sent internationally. It makes good financial sense to know what recourse you may have for unsuitable goods and services that may be out of the reach of UK law.

~~ Product Recall and Safety ~~
When products that have been sold by manufacturers suddenly develop a problem, it can be quite difficult to ensure every purchaser is informed. A click on 'Product Recall' will list all items where the manufacturers have issued a warning or requested items to be returned. So the next time you happen to hear a brief snippet on the radio that might have mentioned a problem with that new toy you bought this morning, this is where you should go for the full information. It may be worth your while taking a look now as there are many items listed covering an array of products.

~~ Links ~~
This category provides useful links to other sites on the web. Divided into nine areas and then sub-divided, it includes information and contact details on scores of organisation that are of use to the consumer. The sites are:

Information sites with product recall/safety issues
Ombudsman and regulators
Consumer organisations
UK Central, local and quasi-legal Government sites
Overseas Governments
Trade bodies and copyright protection
Consumer protection
European consumer help
Legal sites
Miscellaneous

~~ Search facility ~~
The site is pretty much self contained, but there may be instances where you require further information peculiar to your individual circumstances. Should this be the case there is an option to enter your postcode to obtain the contact details of your local Trading Standards office. Simply telephone or visit their offices for (free)further individual advice and assistance.

~~ Conclusion ~~
As I mentioned at the beginning, this site is deceptively large. Therefore I have had to be selective with the information contained in this opinion. The web site itself has so much more to offer the UK consumer about every aspect of buying goods and services.
So, the next time you run aground with a problem, log on to this site and see if you can find the answer there. The chances are you probably will. If not, a couple of clicks will provide the telephone number of someone who does. Remember, Trading Standards are funded through the taxpayers' money, you're already paying for the service, so why not use it? www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

Happy Shopping!

 

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