Consumer rights should be at the till to help people get money back
Citizens Advice has reiterated its call for retailers to provide consumer rights information at the till as new figures from Uswitch reveal 47% of people said they are in the dark about consumer rights.
Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:
“People are feeling the pinch on their finances so it’s important that, if something they buy is not right, they can get it sorted without having to spend another penny.
“All too often shoppers and sales staff aren’t quite clear about what people’s legal rights are when it comes to getting refunds or exchanges.
“For consumers to get their money back or replacements for faulty goods – they need to know and understand what their rights are. That’s why, as part of the Government’s overhaul of consumer law, we want to see all retailers display consumer rights information at checkouts.
“Citizens Advice helps with over one million consumer problems a year. If you have a problem with something you have bought we can provide advice over the phone on 08454 04 05 06, online at www.adviceguide.org.uk or from your local CAB.”
Citizens Advice also wants the simplification of consumer rights to include a clear 30 day window to get a full refund on any faulty product, for public enforcers to name and shame businesses which do not abide by regulations and for consumers to be compensated as part of the trader’s punishment.
Notes to editors:
The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .
The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.