Consumer
When buying goods and services, particularly when spending larger sums of money, it is essential to ensure that you receive the best possible deal and customer service and to understand the laws that protect your consumer rights.
Although the Citizens Advice consumer service is your starting point for consumer advice and information, MyAdviceGateway provides additional information and advice to help you make the right decisions and solve your own problems.
Consumer categories
- All
- Consumer Rights
- Shopping
- Transport & Travel
- Utilities
- All
- Consumer Rights
- Shopping
- Transport & Travel
- Utilities
AIR TRAVEL
Under EU rules air passengers are entitled to certain rights covering delayed flights, overbooking and lost luggage in the form of financial compensation or suitable assistance from the airline.
SAVING MONEY ON SHOPPING
From your energy supply, weekly food shop to your next big electrical purchase, there are a few smart, simple ways to help you get the most from your money.
REGULATORY BODIES FOR THE UTILITY INDUSTRY
Regulatory bodies are organisations set up by Government with responsibility to monitor, guide and control various industry sectors in the interests of protecting consumers. The Utility industry has a range of Regulatory Bodies that are listed here.
CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGLISLATION
Consumer protection is the practice of safeguarding buyers of goods and services, and the public, against unfair practices in the marketplace. Consumer protection measures are often established by law.
REGULATORY AND ADVISORY BODIES
The Trading Standards Institute and The Competition and Marketing Authority are the regulatory bodies that enforce consumer protection and regulation. Individual advice to consumer queries and complaints are handled by The Citizens Advice Consumer Service. The Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for the regulation of consumer credit firms.
BUYING AND SELLING A CAR
Next to the cost of housing, buying a car probably the biggest purchase you will ever make. It is therefore important to ensure that you perform proper checks on the car to save problems and money after you have completed the purchase.
SHOPPING SAFELY ONLINE
You can save much time and effort by shopping on the internet as well as getting the widest choice of goods and services. However there are risks and you need to take care with what you are buying, where you are buying it from and how you pay.
GAS AND ELECTRIC
Energy bills and tariffs can be very complicated and it is often difficult to understand whether you are getting the best deal. If you haven’t switched your energy supplier in the last three years, there’s a good chance you could save money.
DISABLED TRAVELLERS & CARERS
As a disabled passenger you have certain additional rights when travelling. You may also be entitled to get concessionary or free travel on public transport.
PRICE COMPARISON SITES
The increase in buying online has resulted in an increasing number of price comparison websites. Whilst they can provide information accurately and quickly there can be risks associated with using these sites.
GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE WITH ENERGY BILLS
There are a range of energy grants and offers available to that provide financial help to cover your heating bills and the initial outlay involved in installing energy-efficient features.
UNFAIR TRADING PRACTICES & FRAUD
Unfair Trading Practices embrace various deceptive, fraudulent or unethical methods to obtain business including misrepresentation, false advertising, coercive or aggressive selling, discrimination, identity theft and other acts that are declared unlawful by statute
DRIVING AND PARKING
To drive a car in the UK, you must be the minimum age of 17 years, hold the appropriate driving licence for the vehicle and meet the legal eyesight standards. You should also be aware of what to do in the event of and accident and where you can legally …
WATER & SEWERAGE SUPPLY
You are supplied and charged for your water and sewerage services by your Regional Water Supplier. Because water is so precious, it is everyone’s responsibility to use it wisely. Remember, if you are on a water meter, saving water also means saving money.
BUYING AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
If you buy goods or services on your credit card, you have extra protection if things go wrong compared with paying by cash or cheque.
CONSERVING ENERGY AND WATER SUPPLIES
Energy supply depends on water. Water supply depends on energy. With the changes in weather patterns due to global warming the interdependency of water and energy is set to intensify in the coming years, with significant implications for both energy and water security.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are a wide range of Public Transport services available in the UK. As a payng passenger you are entitled to certain rights but if you evade paying the appropriate fare you are may be liable to a fine or prosecution.
SAVING MONEY ON UTILITY BILLS
There are lots of things you can do to save money on your gas, electric and water bills, from making sure you are paying the lowest price to taking steps to reduce your consumption.
PROBLEMS WITH GOODS
When you buy goods it means you’ve entered into a contract with the seller of these goods and you are protected by law in the event that the goods you have purchased are “faulty”. Problems can range from defective, unsafe, damaged in transit or you may just have changed your …
RUNNING AND MAINTAINING A CAR
Once you have bought your car, you have to keep it running and on the road and it’s important to seriously consider and understand how much this is going to cost in the long run.