How to ensure TS comes to the party when invited.

GaryBC

Hi guys 

According to GOV.UK Consumer Law is policed by Trading Standards. 

If I demonstrate that a business has behaved in contravention of Consumer Law, do Trading Standards have any discretion over whether or not they get involved? 

Second question but related. Citizens Advice appear to function as 'Doctor's Receptionist' for Trading Standards. How do I get past the receptionist to see the doctor? 

Thanks 

eskbanker

Trading Standards don't 'get involved' in the sense of intervening on your behalf in any dispute you have with a company, but may choose to investigate or act if the weight of similar complaints suggests that it would be productive to do so....

GaryBC

Sorry, bad choice of words. 

user1977

Yes, they have discretion about whether to get involved. In the same way that if you report a crime to the police, it's largely up to them how and whether they get involved. They're not "doctors" in the sense of giving you any help or advice.

GaryBC

Thanks. I'll have to make sure I offer them something crafted suitably compellingly! 

My 'doctor' analogy was related to the difficulty of getting at them past the dragon on the front desk. 

elsien

Just looked them up in my area. Going through citizens advice seems to be the only mechanism other than for reporting something illegal. There is a postal address but I suspect that sending a letter may fall into a black hole of nothingness.

GaryBC

Is a contravention of Consumer Law not illegal? 

I might try snail mail though. At least I'd be freed from the 2,250 character limit! Is their address on their website?

elsien

This sent me through to my local website which had the address on it.
https://www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/

GaryBC

Thanks for that! 

Manxman_in_exile

GaryBC said:

Is a contravention of Consumer Law not illegal? ...

No.  It would be unlawful (against the law) but not necessarily illegal (a criminal offence).

Trading Standards are generally involved only in those contraventions against consumer protection law that also happen to be criminal offences.

eg selling unroadworthy vehicles; dealing in counterfeit or pirated goods; short measures; or any of the offences listed here:  The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (legislation.gov.uk)

If what you want them to look into is not a criminal offence they won't be interested.  And even if it is, they probably still won't be interested.

(Nearly 40 years ago I had the misfortune for a while to be a trainee TS inspector.  If I wanted to contact them now I wouldn't let myself be put off by CAB.  I'd just write to them or 'phone them.  If they won't deal with you direct, contact your local county councillor and ask what you pay council tax for.)

powerful_Rogue

GaryBC said:

Is a contravention of Consumer Law not illegal? 

I might try snail mail though. At least I'd be freed from the 2,250 character limit! Is their address on their website?

As above, unlawful vs illegal.

Which category does your contravention of consumer law fall into?

What we do:

    - investigate persistent and/or serious criminal activities, in particular those involving fraud, counterfeiting, scams,   doorstep crime and persistent consumer detriment
    - support businesses by offering professional business advice and guidance, including Primary Authority Partnerships
    - audit high risk businesses such as farms, food and feed producers, importers, wholesalers and retailers
    - provide animal health and disease outbreak advice
    - carry out regular market surveillance, such as at Kent ports, markets and boot fairs, to prevent unsafe or illegal products entering the market
    - reduce illegal sale of tobacco and alcohol to children and young people as well as reduce access to illegal tobacco.

We do not:

    - give advice or opinions to consumers about their individual complaints. Consumer advice and complaint handling is carried out by Citizens Advice consumer service (CACs) on behalf of Trading Standards.
    - close businesses (we have no powers to do this)
    - take court action on your behalf in the civil courts
    - get you your money back (we have no powers to do this)
    - tell you if we are investigating a business or give you information we hold about them.