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Hertfordshire shoppers receive hot shopping tips

180/04    3 November 2004

Shoppers in Hertfordshire are being targeted by the OFT with hot shopping tips and advice as part of a major consumer awareness campaign.

Download Hot shopping tips (pdf 27 kb).

The OFT will be in St Albans city centre in Market Place outside the Old Town Hall and Tourist Information Office, on Thursday 4 November to distribute 'Hot Shopping Tips', its handy pocket guide on shoppers' rights, and to give out helpful advice and top tips. The OFT will be joined by advisors from Hertfordshire Trading Standards who can give one-to-one help and advice to shoppers on anything from rogue traders to internet shopping.

The 'Hot Shopping Tips' guide includes the following helpful tips and advice for Hertfordshire 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 visit follows a regional radio advertising campaign and forms part of the OFT's regional roadshow programme which aims to raise awareness among local consumers of their rights on the high street.

The OFT is also holding a seminar for small and medium-sized businesses at Ramada Watford Hotel on the A41 Watford Bypass, 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 roadshow, John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said:

'We want shoppers in Hertfordshire to think about their purchases. If you know your rights and shop around, you are more likely to get the best deal and get any problems dealt with effectively.'

Iris Tarry, Executive Member for Trading Standards in Hertfordshire, said:

'We are delighted that the OFT has chosen Hertfordshire as a venue for hosting their roadshow and welcome the endeavour to improve consumer awareness and empowerment.'

The OFT consumer information stand will be located in the Market Place, St Albans city centre outside the Old Town Hall and Tourist Information Office between 09.00 and 17.00 on Thursday 4 November.

NOTES

1. Media copies of 'Hot Shopping Tips' are available from the OFT on 020 7211 8993.

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

3. Hertfordshire is the 22nd in the OFT's series of regional roadshows. Previous roadshows have taken place in Bristol, Leeds, Belfast, Newcastle, Kent, South Wales, Glasgow, Plymouth, Derby, Warrington, Southampton, Inverness, Reading, Peterborough, Wrexham, Worcester, Carlisle, Newry, Hull, Taunton and Ayr. (For further details on the roadshows programme see OFT press release 11/02.)

4. Consumers can contact Hertfordshire Trading Standards Service with a complaint or for pre shopping advice and speak to a fully trained advisor. This service enables Trading Standards Officers to monitor the types of complaints being received and quickly identify scams or rogue traders and take action to stop them.

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