Top Ten Consumer Complaints
Cars, TVs and mobile phones were the top three items consumers complained about most last year.
More than 1.5 million calls were made about goods or services in the UK as a whole. The number of complaints in Scotland was 70,000.
In terms of value, the amount of goods complained about in North Ayrshire was £50 million while Trading Standards |obtained redress for local consumers of £1 million. Trading Standards work in close partnership with Consumer Direct - a national call centre who transfer cases requiring intervention for action. A Consumer Direct survey shows top complaints were:
1. Cars
2. TVs
3. Mobile Phones (service agreements)
4. Mobile Phones (hardware)
5. Lap-tops, notebooks and tablet PCs
6. Car repairs and servicing from independent garages
7. Second hand cars purchased from franchise dealers
8. Upholstered furniture
9. Women's clothing
10. Telephone services (land line)
The downturn in the economy within the past year has resulted in more consumers seeking Trading Standard's help to assert their consumer rights and ensure they obtain the refunds, repairs and replacements they are entitled to under law.
Complaints tend to involve local businesses collapsing with staff failing to complete work or not starting work in the first place.
Tom Barr, Executive Member for the Environment said: "Trading Standards have worked closely with local businesses to see if a way forward is possible, thereby saving local consumers thousands of pounds."
Last year Trading Standards successfully cancelled contracts worth £160,000 within North Ayrshire alone after concerned consumers had been cold called by a security company selling expensive home alarm systems. All contracts signed at home or by mail, telephone or internet have a cooling-off period and strict regulations to ensure consumer protection.
Trading Standards provides free and confidential services to ensure fair trading within North Ayrshire.
Don't just moan about it - complain - it's your money and pocket that's affected.
If you need help or advice please give Trading Standards a call tel: 01294 324900.