Consumer Advice

This is a national service, which provides consumer advice to the whole of Scotland, Wales and England via a local rate phone number.

Consumer Direct will give advice in the first instance and if necessary refer the complaint to the relevant Trading Standards Service for any follow up action or assistance.

They can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06 or from the website.

Alternatively you can visit Trading Standards in Marischal College, Broad Street during the opening hours given on the Marischal College Customer Service Centre page. You can also contact Trading Standards using the contact below.

Back to the Trading Standards Service home page.

Contacts

• Trading Standards Service
  Business Hub 16
  Level 3 West
  Marischal College
  Broad Street
  AB10 1AB
  Phone: 01224 523737
  Fax: 01224 645786
  Email: tradingstandards@aberdeencity.gov.uk
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

• A few months ago I received some books from a company that I know I hadn't ordered. I thought no more of it but they are now asking me for money or they will take me to court. Do I have to pay them?
• A television I bought three months ago has developed a fault but the shop I bought it from has said I need to prove the television is faulty before they do anything about it. What can I do?
• Can I take second-hand goods back if they are faulty?
• Do I have any consumer rights if I buy goods privately, from an individual?
• Do I need proof of purchase to complain about goods?
• Does a warranty or guarantee give me any special rights?
• Does an incorrect description of an article for sale have to be in writing to be a criminal offence?
• Every time I buy a new electrical item the shop tries to sell me an extended warranty. Do I need to buy it and do I have any rights if I don't buy it and the item develops a fault?
• How can I find out my consumer rights when buying goods or services?
• I agreed to buy a car from a local dealer last week and put down a deposit of œ100. I have now decided to buy a different car from another dealer so can I have my deposit back?
• I bought a new coat recently but it doesn't fit me. I took it back to the trader who didn't have my size so he offered me a credit note. Can I insist on a refund instead?
• I bought a TV a month ago and it blew up - the retailer says they'll send it to the manufacturer under his warranty, is that OK?
• I had a contract with a local business for them to build an extension on my house and have paid a deposit of £500 by credit card. The business has now gone bust so am I entitled to my deposit back?
• I had a visit from a double-glazing salesman and I paid a deposit of œ500 for some new windows and signed a credit agreement for a further œ4500 but I have now changed my mind. Can I cancel the contract and get my deposit back?
• I have just found out that a second hand car I bought from a dealer three months ago has done 50,000 more miles than that indicated on the cars mileage indicator. The dealer has told me it isn't his responsibility, as he didn't know the car had done the higher mileage either. What can I do?
• I have just ordered something over the Internet but have now seen it cheaper in a high street shop. Can I cancel the order?
• I have just purchased a second hand car from the small ads of the local newspaper but after only one week the clutch has gone. Can I sue the seller for compensation as I've only just bought the car?
• I keep seeing 'This does not affect your statutory rights' on goods but what are my 'statutory rights'?
• I recently ordered a three-piece suite and was told delivery would be in 6 to 8 weeks time. After nine weeks it still hasn't been delivered so can I cancel the contract and get my money back?
• I recently returned a faulty toaster that I bought in a half price sale but the shop wouldn't give me a refund and pointed to a sign stating No Refunds on Sale Goods. Should I now return it to the manufacturer under the guarantee?
• I signed a credit agreement, but did not realise how long it would take to pay. Can I get out of it?
• I think goods being sold in a shop are too expensive. Is this illegal?
• If a trader cancels my order for some reason, can I get my deposit back?
• If I buy faulty or misdescribed goods how long do I have to reject them and claim a full refund?
• If I have bought something on credit, can I cancel it?
• If I return goods do I have to accept a 'credit note'?
• If I signed an 'acceptance note' when I received the goods. Does this mean I lose my rights if something goes wrong ?
• If the goods delivered by the retailer are faulty, am I responsible for the cost of returning them?
• Is a 1 year warranty compulsory with all electrical goods?
• Is it worth buying goods with a credit card?
• My local supermarket never prices its bread and I'm sure they charge me a different amount every time I go in. What can I do about it?
• My mum bought me a new computer for Christmas and I think that it's faulty but the retailer says I have no contract with him and therefore no rights. Is this true?
• My recent holiday turned out to be a nightmare. The hotel was in the middle of a building site, the swimming pool was filthy and the nightly entertainment schedule had been cancelled. How do I claim compensation?
• Under what circumstances would I not be entitled to a refund or to exchange the goods?
• What can I do if I want a refund on goods or services but the retailer refuses?
• What goods have to be priced?
• What if a retailer repairs goods but they remain faulty?
• What property misdescriptions are covered by the Property Misdescriptions Act?
• When I recently returned a faulty kettle the shop manager told me that there was new legislation that said that I must now accept a repair or replacement instead of getting a refund. Is this right?
• When I went to buy a television the price in the shop was œ50 higher than the price they had advertised in the local newspaper. Can I go back and insist they sell it to me at the lower price?
• Will I have to make a statement or appear in court if I bring a complaint against a trader?
• Will you help me write a letter of complaint if I feel I have been ripped off?
• With all the legislation protecting consumers, doesn't everything I buy have to come with a guarantee?