|
LANCASHIRE TRADING STANDARDS ADVICE TELEPHONES AND CONSUMER DIRECT
With effect from Wednesday 25th January 2006 callers using Trading Standards Advice lines on 0845 600 1352 or 01772 533573 will be automatically diverted to a new regional call centre: Consumer Direct operating form Barrow. Consumer Direct is an initiative by the DTI to enhance the provision and access to quality consumer advice, freeing up Lancashire Trading Standards to provide the higher-level service for clients needing more active assistance and enabling the issues underlying complaints to be tackled This development should provide far easier access to quality basic consumer advice with Trading Standards providing the back up for cases involving: · More complex issues · Clients needing active intervention · Client needing documentation checking Clients actively pursuing action using Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms or the Courts. The resource provided means that any client with a consumer problem can with confidence be signposted to Consumer Direct with the assurance that guidance will be provided to advance the complaint. Further that where more active assistance is required by a Lancashire consumer it will be available from Lancashire Trading Standards. The Consumer Direct opening times are: Monday to Friday 0800 to 1830 andSaturdays 0900 to 1300excluding bank holidays and public holidays. They can be contacted on: By phone Automatically diverted from Lancashire Trading Standards Numbers on 0845 600 1352 or 01772 533573 Directly 08454 04 05 06 Via its web site
|
|
Press Release From the 25th January, consumers in Lancashire will be able to call Consumer Direct North West, a new advice and information line, for clear and practical advice on a range of consumer issues. From a 2,000 pound sofa ripping after only a few weeks to a garage repair bill that seems too expensive, Consumer Direct aims to provide consumers with the knowledge, tools and confidence to resolve consumer problems themselves. And, what's more, the advice is free. UK-wide research estimates that the unmet demand for consumer advice could be as high as 1.5 million calls a year, over and above what is currently being received by existing services. In addition to this, the Office of Fair Trading has estimated that UK consumers lose out as much as £8 billion each year due to problems with goods and services. While Lancashire Trading Standards handles over 50000 phone consumer contacts per year the reality has been that on occasions significant delay has frequently occurred and a large number of callers found it difficult to get through. The new service will bring significant advantages and the delay in access should become a thing of the past. By using one number, consumers have easy access to clear and practical consumer advice. And importantly, the service will free up the valuable time of local Trading Standards who can now focus their expertise on key issues." Open to the public six days a week, the service is available to anyone who calls the number, 08454 04 05 06. They will then be connected to professionally trained advisors at the contact centre in Barrow who have undergone intensive training to be able to deal with all manner of enquiries. The service is also available on-line at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. . Working in partnership with local Trading Standards, the service is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Jim Potts Lincolnshire’s County Trading Standards Officer, said: “Consumer Direct is about helping people to help themselves by informing them of the possible pitfalls they face in buying goods and services and, importantly, making sure they know their rights. By making this service consumers’ first port of call, it frees up time and resources in Trading Standards to really focus upon dealing with more serious cases such as rogue traders, doorstep crime and counterfeiting.” The service is a key part of the DTI’s overall strategy of achieving ‘prosperity for all’ as empowered consumers drive competitive markets leading to increased productivity and innovation. |