For the third year running, complaints about second hand cars top the list of consumer complaints for 2008. According to figures released by Consumer Direct, this figure is up by 12% on the previous year, indicating that the problem would seem to be getting worse. The vast majority of the complaints relate to cars bought from independent car dealers. Also repeating a familiar pattern, we find mobile phones in second and fourth place (contracts and handsets respectively) , while women’s clothing has ‘leapt’ up to fourth place.
Many of these issues relate to quality, and the traders refusal to take responsibility. An all too frequent problem is that traders simply do not know the law regarding statutory rights. Although it should be mentioned that the consumer is not always blameless, particularly where failure to read and fully understand contracts relating to mobile phone and ISPs is concerned. So how should we deal with these situations should they happen to us – or better still, cut the risk of them happening in the first place. Well, the most useful piece of consumer legislation to know is the Sale of Goods -it covers mobile phones, second-hand cars, TVs, furniture and clothing. Sale of Goods doesn’t cover every eventuality, but does tell you what your statutory rights are and what remedies you can expect from the trader if something goes wrong. Refer to our guides on Sale of Goods and returning damaged or faulty goods for more.
For the more service-based items from this list, such as service agreements, upholstery and car repairs, your reference is the Supply of Goods and Services Act. Like Sale of Goods, this gives you your statutory rights and what you have the right to do if they are breached. Check out our Contracts for Services guide for more on this.
You should also know your cooling off rights (among other things) under the Distance Selling Regulations. Did you know that buying things on the Internet or by mail order actually gives you more rights that if you had bought it from a shop? Worth knowing. Take a look at our guide to buying online, or our section on the Distance Selling regulations for much more.
Complaints to Consumer Direct in 2008
- Second hand cars purchased from independent dealers
- Mobile Phones (service agreements)
- TVs
- Mobile Phones (hardware)
- Car repairs and servicing from independent garages
- Second hand cars purchased from franchise dealers
- Upholstered furniture
- Women’s clothing
- Internet Service Providers
- Leather furniture
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Please can you tell me how I stand , as I brought a car for cash from a garage. There was a big problem with the car when driving home. I tried phoning but only got through the following day. I told him the problem and asked if I could take it to a garage to see what the problem was. He said OK but to get back to him to let him know. My garage has told me it will cost about £2500.00 to get fixed as it is the engine. Can I take it back and get a full refund. Thanks for your help.
N. Owen, please see this section of the site:
http://WHATCONSUMER.CO.UK/buying-a-car/
If the car is of significantly poor quality and you have only had ownership for a day, you would be within your rights to terminate the contract and take it back for a full refund. The dealer may want to verify the problem with the engine for himself.
I copy an email I sent to EasyJet customer relations today
“My daughter who is six months pregnant flew from Gatwick to Amsterdam on last Friday 16th December on Flight 8875.
She was due to return at 11.00 on Monday, but despite a doctor’s note was disallowed from returning on Flight 8874, which was full. She was made to pay €60 BEFORE being sent to the clinic to verify that she was fit to fly back to Gatwick on flight 8876, which was half full, and caused her to speculate that the exercise was more convenient to your airline than it was for her. This was distressing for her in her condition, and poor treatment of a customer who had already crossed the channel a mere 72 hours before.
I would appreciate acknowledgement of this complaint, and what measures you propose to rectify the situation.
Roy Reece
Good morning Watchdog.
I arrived at Newton Abbot Railway Station on the 17th October 2011 at 6.30am to book 2 x return first class tickets to Birmingham Station.Train time quoted 7.03am (same day) returning on the 5.05pmm the same day .WAIT FOR IT THE PRICE £653.30
I recently responded to a free offer of nutri berry slim all I had to pay was the postage for a one month supply but when I received my credit card statement they not only took £2.99 out for shipping they had also took a further £93 when I rang them they said according to the terms and conditions I should have rung and cancelled. When I responded to the offer there was no terms and conditions printed with it, £93 seems a rather extreme amount for just 30 days supply which I understood to be free. Can I get my money back?