Nottinghamshire County Council welcome additional powers for consumers

New legislation that will give greater powers to consumers has been welcomed by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team.
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People buying goods or services online, by phone or on the doorstep will have an additional seven calendar days to cancel their purchase under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 which comes into force from 13 June.

The new regulations will also require traders to offer telephone helplines at a basic rate for customers to contact them.

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Consumers will be able to make civil claims against traders who have made misleading claims or used aggressive sales techniques following changes to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations due in October.

Coun Glynn Gilfoyle, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community Safety Committee, said: “Doorstep criminals often pressurise people into making a snap decision on a purchase or home improvement work, so we are pleased that local residents will have a longer period to think this through under the new regulations.

“The changes will allow consumers to unwind a contract and claim price reductions if they are unhappy with a product or service, which is a step in the right direction particularly for vulnerable people who have been bullied or misled.

“We often hear about customer hotlines at extortionate rates which leave people hugely out of pocket if they have a complaint so I’m particularly delighted this is being stamped out.”

Local residents with consumer issues should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.