A quick question about Trading Standards

Honeydog

Hi all,

This isn't a rant - well it isn't a rant at the moment but it may well turn into one in the very near future! I've just put it here because I know there are some really knowledgable people who visit this section and I know one of you good folk will know the answer.

What do Trading Standards actually do? Do they get involved in individual cases or just mass cases where a lot of people are saying the same thing about a trader? Will they approach a trader on your behalf and try to resolve a dispute? Does it have to be a huge amount of money before they will look at it?

Thanks in advance,

HD

Sagaris

Speaking from experience, they will approach an individual trader - my daughter had a problem with some ink cartridges she bought from an online shop, all 6 leaked and ruined her work. I got on to the Consumer Direct website and also emailed Trading Standards in the area that the company was based. It took a couple of months but the guy from TS kept me informed as to what was going on - and the company eventually refunded her money and sent a set of HP cartridges by way of apology. :j
I tried to get a resolution myself but the company just wouldn't communicate in any way with me.
Oh and the amount of money invoved was about £30 - not a vast amount, but a lot when you're a money saving student!
Good luck with your case.

Honeydog

Sagaris - you're a star! That was a really useful reply. The amount in my case isn't huge - only £20 but it is the principle that matters as the item purchased was a gift. I'll give the company another 2 weeks to sort it out and then if I don't get it sorted out then I'll name and shame them on here and various other consumer websites.

Thanks again for the reply.

HD