Fair Trading

Summary

 

Fair Trading forms a significant proportion of the work carried out by the Trading Standards Service. In essence Fair Trading involves ensuring that people are not misled by claims, prices, descriptions and other selling techniques used by traders in selling goods and services.

 

Eligibility

 

This service is available to any Barnsley consumer (or trader) who wishes to make a complaint about a retailer/trader or to seek advice about their legal rights/responsibilities.

 

Procedure

 

For initial advice consumers should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

Trader enquiries can be made to the Trading Standards Service via telephone, letter or e-mail (please see helplines below).

 

Helplines

 

Consumer Direct: 08454 040506 or click here to contact consumer direct

Regulatory Services, Trading Standards: 01226 772468

Email: regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk

 

Charges/Fees

 

No charge

 

Opening Times & Locations

 

Consumer Direct:

08.00 - 18.30 Monday - Friday and 09.00 - 13.00 Saturday

BMBC Trading Standards:

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the Customer can Help

 

Provide as much detail as possible - name and location of retailer, exact nature of enquiry, details of any discussions with retailer. It may also useful to retain any relevant records - invoices, receipts etc. Where criminal proceedings are likely, the customer may need to be prepared to provide a statement and / or act as a witness

 

Leaflets

 

A variety of leaflets can be provided on request.

 

Distribution Points

 

Leaflets are available from our office (please see opening times/locations)

 

Legislation

 

• Trade Descriptions Act 1968
• Consumer Credit Act 1974
• Consumer Protection Act 1987
• Property Misdescriptions Act 1991
• Trade Marks Act 1994
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
• Hallmarking Act 1973
• Timeshare Act 1992
• Enterprise Act 2002
• Mock Auctions Act 1961

+ over 1,000 supporting Regulations and Orders

 

Response Times/Next Step

 

All requests for service and complaints have a maximum response time of 3 days

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Regulatory Services: 01226 772468

 

Additional Notes

 

The Service will give talks to any business, consumer group, school or any other organisation on the work carried out by Trading Standards

Where necessary, the Service will take the appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Regulatory Services Enforcement Policy.

If a business has a Home Authority relationship with the Trading Standards Service then more detailed advice and assistance can be provided to enable the business to comply with its legal obligations - e.g. inspection / approval of business documentation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. Why is counterfeiting so bad now?

A. Counterfeiting has become a prevalent and growing problem to society and the economy for a number of different reasons:

• It is extremely profitable for the criminal
• The rise in popularity and value of brands
• Information technology - cheap but powerful computers able to produce virtually any logo or mark
• Globalisation of commerce
• Very little risk for the criminal

Q. What sort of things can be misdescribed?

A. Virtually any goods or services. Sales of used cars are a constant problem. Many cases of unroadworthy or misdsescribed motor vehicles are investigated and the practice of altering a vehicle's odometer to register less miles than has been travelled continues to require the attention of officers.

Q. What sort of issues do you deal with relating to Consumer Credit?

A. Attention is paid to the use and abuse of consumer credit. Traders offering credit have to be licensed by the Office of Fair Trading, a central government department, but the suitability of traders to be granted the licence can be assessed only by monitoring carried out locally.

The advertising of credit is scrutinised to ensure it is not misleading and complies with legal requirements. Particular attention is given to ensuring the A.P.R. (annual percentage rate) is quoted as this allows a true comparison of the cost of credit.
Interest rates of over 5,000% have been charged by unscrupulous, unlicensed, moneylenders. When discovered, these "sharks" can be prosecuted by the Service. 

 

Related Links:

 

• The Office of Fair Trading
• The department of Trade and Industry
• Rip-off-Tip-off
• Door Step Crime
• Consumer Direct 

Last modified on 22/5/2008