Car problem-Trading Standards-can't get any info

Somerset

I'm trying to get information about/from Trading Standards and can't get past the first post. Can anyone help ?

If a garage carries out repairs/work and sends that car back to the owner in an unsafe condition, it falls in the remit of Trading Standards. So I wanted to have a general chat with TS, before making an official complaint, to find out what consequences there could be for the garage ie fines, prosecutions, was it criminal ? could they be shut down ? etc etc. Plus could a complaint be made by a person who didn't contract with the garage.

I tried ringing the 08454 number given on the website but it's a waste of time. It's a centralised govt dept helpline - yes it is for TS but no they don't take calls from the public. Do you want to make a complaint to them - no I just want to get info before a complaint - ok what questions - ask questions - sorry I don't know that - who does? - TS - can I speak to them ? - no they don't talk f2f with the public.

Anyone got any idea's ?

Somerset

Any idea's on how I can get to speak to a 'real' TS person ?

Brian_Spratt

TSOs are implementing national (and EU) regulations, but are employed by local councils. So you need to check your local council's website, yellow pages or ordinary telephone directory to get their contact details.

They are usually very helpful, but they have an awful lot of legislation to cover so, sometimes, it can be difficult to find one who's an expert on the bit of law that covers your problem.

I'm not a legal expert but I would think that if the garage knowingly sent your car back to you in an unsafe condition that it would constitute a criminal act. Therefore, if you are still having problems contacting you TSO, you could go to the police.

Regards

Brian Spratt

MrsTinks

Provided the unsafe work related to what they had been contracted to do... if it's totally unrelated then it might be trickier... Ie if they were working on the engine for somethi and the unsafe part is infact the brakes which they had no instruction to chek or work on then it probably would be a lot harder to argue anything...
However if they were Changing the brake pads and didn't do so properly and made the car unsafe as a result then it's a different matter...

derrick

Somerset wrote: »

Any idea's on how I can get to speak to a 'real' TS person ?

Instead of using the 0845 No for Consumer Direct, use one of these:-

Consumer Direct is designed to operate from our 0845 number, so we cannot guarantee connectivity, but under many circumstances these landline numbers will work correctly.

East of England: 01438 737460
East Midlands: 01522 563000
London: 020 8799 9200
North-East: 01642 495600
North-West: 01229 842203
Scotland: 01851822401
South East: 01622 626520
South West: 01209 720333
Wales (English language): 02920 367800
Wales (Welsh language): 02920 367801
West Midlands: 02476 786610
Yorkshire and the Humber: 0113 201 3670

Consumers who call Consumer Direct from a mobile phone are handled personally. We will offer to text a landline number to consumers who call us from a mobile phone, and who live in an area that is served by Consumer Direct, because calls from mobile phones to 0845 numbers can be much more expensive.



These people,(Consumer Direct), should be able to give you the information required and should put you through to, or get your local TS to phone you, they do speak to the public.

Conor_3

tine wrote: »

Provided the unsafe work related to what they had been contracted to do... if it's totally unrelated then it might be trickier... Ie if they were working on the engine for somethi and the unsafe part is infact the brakes which they had no instruction to chek or work on then it probably would be a lot harder to argue anything...
However if they were Changing the brake pads and didn't do so properly and made the car unsafe as a result then it's a different matter...

Also, you're committing an offence by driving an unsafe car, whether you know about it or not.

Hotspur

Somerset wrote: »

I'm trying to get information about/from Trading Standards and can't get past the first post. Can anyone help ?

If a garage carries out repairs/work and sends that car back to the owner in an unsafe condition, it falls in the remit of Trading Standards. So I wanted to have a general chat with TS, before making an official complaint, to find out what consequences there could be for the garage ie fines, prosecutions, was it criminal ? could they be shut down ? etc etc. Plus could a complaint be made by a person who didn't contract with the garage.

I tried ringing the 08454 number given on the website but it's a waste of time. It's a centralised govt dept helpline - yes it is for TS but no they don't take calls from the public. Do you want to make a complaint to them - no I just want to get info before a complaint - ok what questions - ask questions - sorry I don't know that - who does? - TS - can I speak to them ? - no they don't talk f2f with the public.

Anyone got any idea's ?

TS are using consumer direct 08454 040506 for initial consumer enquiries/complaints which is more efficient and works in 80% of instances. CD should forward your enq to the local TS if they are unable to provide you with an answer and it is a matter that the TS have agreed they deal with.

Go to www.tradingstandards.gov.uk and put in your postcode to find your local TS. Somerset have an e mail [EMAIL="tsdutyofficer@somerset.gov.uk"]tsdutyofficer@somerset.gov.uk[/EMAIL] you can use but it may also be forwarded to consumer direct.

Breifly the issues are;

Poor workmanship - civil issue between customer and business
Failure to carry out work - could be criminal if deliberate and it can be shown that work was charged for and not carried out
Unsafe vehicle - could be criminal - however the customer could also be liable if they drove a car that was unroadworthy - depends on all the circumstances.

Action includes everything from nothing to legal action depending on the evidence and prosecution policy. TS can not close a garage down.