Jun/090
Not all on-line shops abide by consumer rights regulations
On-line shopping is becoming more and more popular, as it takes out the stress of having to visit shops, try things out, stand in long queues etc. however, research has shown that not all on-line retailers are sticking to the regulations of Consumer Rights.
Around 31% of on-line shops do not refund the full cost of the item returned, 40% of sites had hidden costs, 14% did not provide a land address and 15% did not make it known to consumers that their order could be cancelled 7 working days after they have received the goods.
Consumers who shop on-line are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations, who enforce their rights and the OFT are urging on-line retailers to check their sites and make sure they abide by the regulations there to protect the consumer.
Jun/091
Your Rights as a Consumer
As a consumer, you have certain rights that retailers must comply with. For example, if you are buying a product it must explain on the packaging what the product is, what it does, date of expiry if it is food, the colour of the product and the size. If the product doesn’t ‘do what it says on the tin’ so to say, the retailer has a “legal obligation” to rectify the problem. This also applies to the “28 day rule”, where as the consumer has 28 days to bring back the product in exchange for their money back, or an exchange, if the product is not what they expected or it doesn’t fit etc.
Another right that the consumer has that they are to be charged the price that is indicated. So if they get to the till and the product is more expensive than was clearly stated either on or by the product, they have the right to challenge the retailer then, or taking it to the local trading standards office, as this is false advertisement. Credit cards are also liable to for faulty goods and services if they have cost the consumer over £100.
Services provided by a plumber, joiner, electrician etc are covered by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. This states that the work they do has to be done within a “reasonable time, price and skill”. If this is not the case the consumer has every right to ask them to rectify the problem, or go to their employer if they won’t to claim back the costs.
Jun/090
Which Product Labels to go with?
The FSA will reveal on the 6th May which front of pack labelling the consumers have decided should be used. The FSA back the traffic lights scheme where the product is labelled red, amber, green depending on whether it is high, medium or low in fat, while the food industry favour the nutritional values scheme. Either way, it is the consumer that ultimately decides and the FSA are set to reveal which one was favoured.
Jun/090
Broadband as essential as Electricity and Water
Communications consumer research panel have announced that 73% of Britons claim a fast connection, and access to it, is as important as electricity and water. The survey which showed these results also showed that most consumers believe that those who don’t have broadband are losing out as more companies become web based.
As a result, the research panel have said that there is demand for broadband to be universal so that everyone has access to it, and the government should help those who either cant afford it or find it difficult / impossible to get it in their area.
Jun/091
Ombudsman for Estate Agents bring in New Rules
The Ombudsman for Estate Agents has brought in some new rules to make their trading fairer for consumers. The rules now state that the estate agent must now confirm in writing to the potential buyer that their offer has been made to the seller. This was in fact an old rule, but has been reiterated within the new rules.
Also, if an offer has already been accepted on the property, the estate agent must now inform any other potential buyers, rather than letting them view the property none the wiser. And any higher offer must be passed on to the seller.
Also, if the estate agents fees are based on a percentage of the selling price this must be clearly stated to the seller, the percentage must be shown as an exact amount rather than a percentage and the seller must be aware that a change will be made to the estate agents fee should there be an offer higher or lower than the asking price.
Jun/090
New laws equals better protection but mediums and fortune tellers are NOT happy!
The new rules regarding consumer protection will mean better protection for consumers and hopefully banish rogue traders. It is set to ban 31 types of unfair sales tactics and enforce the new regulations on traders such as double glazing salesmen.
There will be no more loopholes for rogue traders, and those who do try to exploit vulnerable consumers could face prison sentences. This will be people who are aggressive in their sales pitches, and those using misleading statements such as phony closing down sales or limited time offers that go on and on and aren’t really ‘limited’ at all.
All that said, one of the leading groups who are opposing the new regulations are mediums and fortune tellers saying it will lead to the end of their business because they will have to tell consumers that their work isn’t experimentally proven” and is “for entertainment only”.
Jun/090
Plan for Retirement
HSBC are advising people to start planning for their retirements by securing pensions.
Most young people these days don’t think about retirement, or even consider setting up pensions. But the HSBC warn that this is not the attitude to have, and that people of all ages must plan ahead or be left in crisis when they do eventually retire.
Also, research shows that the younger generation are hitting milestones later in life than previous generations, so it is even more important they think about their pensions to make sure they are adequately secure.
Jun/090
Opt In and Out of State pension schemes
Due to private insurance Schemes being better than what the state offers, the government are thinking of bringing in the option to opt out of state pensions and being able to look for your own. They are also considering the possibility that if a private insurance scheme fails, people should have the option to opt back into the state pension scheme.
Though this is causing controversy, ministers say this will minimise the ‘burden’ on employed people over the next few years.
Jun/090
Websites for Unemployment Benefits are a Scam
Sites who charge to set up unemployment benefits are a scam. These claims are filed for free, but some sites are charging fees to file these claims. It is warned that these are cons and can lead to identity theft because they ask for info such as national insurance number. The sites are advertised on Google, Yahoo and the like and you should AVOID THESE SITES AT ALL COSTS.
Jun/090
Claim Unemployment Benefits
Though more people are expected to lose their jobs, the amount of people claiming has fallen.
This has settled fears that unemployment was set to rise to 3.3million. It is now predicted that it will only reach 3million because even though the economy is improving and average earnings rose to 0.8%, there wont be that much of an improvement to lead to “a net creation of jobs” says IHS Global Insight economist Howard Archer.
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