How does complaining to trading standards work?

Mandles

Im complaining to trading standards about a large firm that seems to be purposely mispricing the same item. How do you go about it? Will it cost me? Will it cost them(hope so!) And do i have to write one of these fancy frilly letters or just say what happened?

Poppycat

I guess you mean Debenhams

I have on 3 consecutive times took screenshots of that offer of bunk beds, and so far on two ocassions it was declined, still waiting for the 3rd email.

I accept companies make mistakes, don't we all. On this occasion I believe its getting beyond a joke. Surely we do now have a claim against them for misleading price indications.

You could speak to trading standards, number in phone book

Mandles

Yep, you got it right. I rung and said that i am going to complain to trading standards if i dont get bed as like you said, once or twice is possibly an accident but 3 times is not acceptable and should be reported. I did point out that they get fined £1000 for this(im sure i read it somewhere).
May i borrow your screenshots if necessary please?

Poppycat

Hi I can send screenshots but will have to edit personnel info

I just got the email just now of cancellation

I replied informing them that I believe they are selling goods under false pretences

Mandles

i know, i got mine earlier. i wonder if they just want our details?

Peter-Pan_5

Hi Mandles,Trading Standards are excellent if you phone them they will advise you what to say in your letter/phone call to the company they will note it as well,it will cost you nothing.

gyzmo

How your trading standards department will respond depends on the authority's priorities. What should happen is that they will send a test purchaser in to determine whether there is a case. If so, they may follow several options, ranging from a telling off to prosecution. I say prosecution, as they will only usually take action on criminal law. if it is a civil matter, they will offer advice - again to varying degrees depending on the authority.

Reporting something to trading standards is free (you pay for them in taxes). They will obviosuly have some costs in terms of wages, travel etc but that is all part of your taxes.

furrypolka

Yes, this is a Trading Standards matter - they can look into a misleading prices offence under Part 3 of the Consumer Protection Act.

It won't mean that you have the right to buy the goods at the cheaper price though, so it won't have any bearing on your individual issue. It should stop them advertising at the wrong price for the future though.

Some Trading Standards departments (most, now) require consumers to first report the matter to Consumer Direct for civil advice and then the Consumer Direct adviser will forward the complaint to the relevant Trading Standards office for action. So don't panic if you get through to Consumer Direct - the information will still be passed to a Trading Standards officer!

eyelinerprincess

Consumer Direct are usually excellent. Had a problem, they told me what to do, and to reply in x days if I didn't get a response and they would put me in touch with trading standards.

Mandles

well, thanks, i just rung them as soon as cancellation email came through & threatened trading standards(which i was definately going to do) as it is the 3rd time they have done this and mentioned £1000 fine that they get and my beds have just arrived. Hurrah!! It was said that it was because i was the first one to order and they kept saying that though. But if you dont moan you often dont get. So thanks for op of the offer and help on here.