Citizens Advice Bureau

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David Lee Decaine-Rato        

GNVQ UNIT 6 CONSUMER PROTECTION

6.2 – SOLVING CONSUMER PROBLEMS

Task 1

The main stages a consumer with problems, or who is making a complaint needs to go through are: -

  1. To make a complaint as soon as possible to the supplier of goods and services.  If you have a problem about something, always let the supplier deal with the matter.  Also you could lose some of your legal rights if you leave a complaint too long.

  1. You also need to take any proof of what you’ve brought with you, such as a receipt.  You should not leave it with the retailer though. As you might need it later.

  1. If you live a fair distance from wherever you purchased an item and had called by telephone and got no reply, then it would be a good idea to write to their Customer Services Manager and explain the problem by letter.

  1. Explain clearly and come straight to the point in your letter.  Firstly, you state where you brought the goods or service, and then clearly what has gone wrong.  Then state where and when you called, if you have already visited the firm, the name of the person who spoke to, and finally, in the last statement, write about what you want done and give them a sensible deadline.
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  1. If the company phones you, you should make a note of the date and what they’ve said.

  1. The problem is usually solved by this stage, but you don’t have to accept the first offer you receive, if you don’t think it’s reasonable.

  1. If all else fails and you aren’t getting anywhere, then we advise you to get expert advice e.g. by requesting another seller place their views in writing, by getting in touch with your local Trading Standards Department or another source of support and advice.

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