Standing up for shoppers' rights in Yorkshire

OFT offers 'Hot Shopping Tips' to consumers

PN 13a/02 20 March 2002

Yorkshire shoppers are being targeted as part of a major OFT consumer awareness campaign on shoppers' rights.

Following a local radio advertising campaign in the region, the OFT will be visiting the Headrow shopping centre in Leeds on 20 March to distribute 'Hot Shopping Tips', its new pocket guide on shoppers' rights. Local trading standards officers will also be present to give free help and advice to shoppers on anything from rogue traders to internet shopping.

The visit forms part of the OFT's regional roadshow programme which aims to raise awareness among local consumers of their rights on the high street, so they can make informed decisions when buying goods and services.

The 'Hot Shopping Tips' guide includes the following helpful tips and advice for Yorkshire shoppers:

any goods you purchase must be of 'satisfactory quality', 'as described' and 'fit for their purpose'
a retailer cannot avoid giving a refund on faulty goods by blaming the manufacturer as the contract is with the seller
a credit card provider is liable as well as the retailer if the item bought costs between £100 and £30,000 and is faulty, broken or doesn't arrive
consumers who shop from home have additional rights, including a cooling off period (usually seven days) in which to change their minds.

The OFT is also holding a seminar on the morning of 20 March in Leeds for small and medium sized businesses in North, West and South Yorkshire, to explain the OFT's role, listen to their views of how markets are working and help their understanding of competition and consumer protection laws.

Launching the Yorkshire roadshow, John Vickers, Director General of Fair Trading said: 'The OFT wants to know first-hand how markets are working for consumers in Yorkshire and across the UK.

'An informed consumer is in a better position to get what they want. If you know your shopping rights and shop around, you are more likely to get the best deal.'

The OFT stand will be located inside the Headrow entrance of the Headrow shopping centre in Leeds between 0930 and 1630 on Wednesday 20 March.

NOTES

1. Media copies of 'Hot Shopping Tips' are available from COI (0113 283 6597) or the Office of Fair Trading. It can also be downloaded in pdf format.

2. Non-media copies of 'Hot Shopping Tips' are available by calling 0870 60 60 321.

3. Leeds is the second in the OFT's new series of regional roadshows. The first roadshow took place in Bristol on 27 February 2002. (See OFT release 11a/02.) For further details on the roadshows programme see OFT release 11/02.

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