Jo urges residents to seek advice against Christmas rip-offs

9.49.29am GMT Fri 22nd Dec 2006

Consumer Direct works closely with trading standards officers to clamp down on rogue practices

Jo Swinson has urged East Dunbartonshire residents to use a special advice line offered by the Scottish Consumer Council if they receive poor service or faulty goods over the festive period.

The Consumer Direct hotline, offering impartial advice to consumers, is available on 08454 04 05 06. Since its launch in July 2004, the telephone and online consumer advice line has handled more than 100,000 cases and so far this year the estimated benefits to Scottish consumers amount to over £5m.

Jo said:

"Over the festive period, it is more important than ever that consumers know where to turn if they fall victim to bad service or shoddy goods from companies. The Consumer Direct Scotland hotline should be the first point of contact for anyone with goods and services complaints this Christmas.

"Information supplied by the public can be passed on by Consumer Direct to local Trading Standards Officers, helping ensure that the suppliers of poor service and faulty goods are held to account.

"Over the festive period if people are not happy with their Christmas purchases and have a problem they can't resolve, they should contact Consumer Direct Scotland on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the website on www.consumerdirect.gov.uk."

Jean Mackenzie, Marketing co-ordinator at Consumer Direct said:

"The festive period is a busy time for us all and knowing your consumer rights can help take the stress out of Christmas shopping. Whether it's faulty Christmas lights, that new TV or non-delivery of Christmas gifts; Consumer Direct is on hand to give clear, practical advice on a range of issues."

The advice line is open 8am-6.30pm Monday to Friday and from 9am-1pm on Saturday. It will be closed on the 26th and 27th of December and the 1st and 2nd of January.

Related Links:

Consumer Direct

Scottish Consumer Council