All of us, at some point will encounter poor or even unlawful customer practice from shops, suppliers or commercial organisations in general. Knowing your rights in these situations will help you deal with unscrupulous or misinformed traders, giving you the quality and satisfaction you deserve in exchange for handing over your hard-earned cash. The Consumer Rights section contains more legal information on the scenarios presented here. Don’t forget to share your experiences or queries via the forum, or simply post a reply to any of the articles on the site.
Mobile phones
There is a bewildering choice of phones, packages and deals available when buying a new mobile phone. It’s big business. It’s also top of the list when it comes to consumer complaints!
Extended Warranties
Extended warranties are a relatively new sales opportunity for the retailers and have not been without their fair share of bad press. The question is, are they worth it? Find out here.
Buying a car
When you buy a car, whether brand new or second hand, you benefit from the protection of certain statutory consumer rights as provided for under the Sale of Goods Act.
Buying a new build house
Many people decide to ‘buy new’ from a housebuilder in the belief that it will be a much less troublesome experience than buying somebody else’s home. So is it?
Buying online
New Regulations have introduced greater consumer protection measures for the increasing number of people buying online and by mail order. Find out more about them in this section.
Buying clothing and footwear
Your statutory rights regarding the purchase of clothing and footwear refer to standards of quality and consumer expectations, and what you should do if these are not met.
Returning damaged or faulty goods
The Sale of Goods Act also details the retailers obligations in situations where you have to return an item on the basis that it is damaged or faulty - or both. Make sure you know what you are entitled to.
Cooling off and cancellations
Some contracts however offer you the right to cancel during a specific duration - called a ‘cooling off period’. Find out which types of agreements are subject to this right and how long you’ve got.
Buying Payment Protection Insurance (PPI)
Payment Protection Insurance, or PPI, is a policy which covers your monthly repayments in the event that you are unable to work due to accident, ill health or unemployment. So why is it so controversial?
Excessive bank charges
In April 2007, the OFT launched an investigation into whether these charges were fair and legal in terms of reflecting the true administrative cost to the bank. Where do we currently stand with this?
Junk mail, cold callers and telemarketing
The invasion of our privacy at home is becoming an important issue, which is why procedures are in place both to protect you and to allow you to opt out. Find out how in this section
Problems with builders or tradesmen
If it hasn’t happened to us, it’s happened to someone we know. Everyone has a story, which is why it’s crucial to know your rights and remedies so you can be prepared at the outset.
Getting holiday cash without paying a fortune
There are so many different ways of getting your cash abroad, but there are also a host of hidden charges to be aware of. So how can you get your holiday cash without getting fleeced? This guide will tell you all you need to know.
The Holiday was a Nightmare!
Your holiday was a nightmare and you had a miserable time. Is there anything you can do? Know your rights under the package holiday regulations and also about statutory entitlements in the event of flight delays
Making a Small Claim
This section will tell you all you need to know if you are in dispute with a firm or individual and are considering trying to recover money, damages or compensation via a county court small claims procedure
Credit Agreements Explained
There is a wealth of ways in which retailers make high priced items affordable. Whichever method you choose it is likely you will be party to a credit agreement. Read about your rights and obligations under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 which regulates these agreements.
Accessing your Credit File
If you have been turned down for a credit agreement, you have the right not only to access you credit file, but to change or remove anything which is incorrect and request these changes to be made known to the lender.
