Councillor checks out Consumer Direct (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Councillor checks out Consumer Direct

December 2, 2008 12:00 AM

Cllr Reid visits Consumer Direct

Cllr Ann Reid, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services has been checking out the consumer advice that is available to York residents.

Each year City of York Council's Trading Standards Consumer Advice Service deals with hundreds of complaints and enquiries, (over 1000 in 2007/8), helping York citizens recover many thousands of pounds for faulty goods and unsatisfactory services. The Service works in close partnership with Consumer Direct, the telephone help-line service funded and managed by the Office of Fair Trading.

Cllr Reid recently visited Consumer Direct's regional call centre in West Yorkshire which is the first point of contact for consumers throughout Yorkshire and the Humber region who are looking for help and advice about goods and services and it acts as a gateway to City of York Council's Consumer Advice Service.

Consumer Direct received over 2500 complaints about York businesses in 2007/8 and they are able to give initial telephone advice on a wide variety of consumer issues. Where this isn't sufficient, because the matter is complex, there is a breech of trading standards criminal legislation, a consumer is vulnerable due to their particular circumstances, or where a face to face meeting is needed consumers are referred to York's Consumer Advice Service. Residents who ring the Consumer Advice Service can be sure of accessing free, impartial, legal advice and help of the highest standard, as the Service holds the Legal Services Commission's Specialist Quality Mark in Consumer Law.

Cllr Reid, found the visit interesting and informative:

'In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that residents get

value for money from the goods and services they buy, are protected from unfair

commercial practices and know where to turn for information about the law and

support about how to enforce their rights. The Consumer Advice Service helps

people access relevant information and where necessary helps them translate

that information into effective action'.

'Here in York we want to create more confident, knowledgeable and demanding consumers and ensure legitimate businesses are not undermined by those who do not comply with the law. I would urge any resident who has a consumer problem with faulty goods or unsatisfactory services to contact Consumer Direct (telephone 08454 04 05 06), where they will receive clear, practical advice and if the matter proves difficult to resolve or more detailed help is required, they will be referred to York's specialist Consumer Advice Service'.