Consumer Enquiries

Richmond Trading Standards offers a Consumer Advice Service in partnership with Consumer Direct.

Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by the Office of Fair Trading.

Consumer Direct can assist you in the following ways

  • Help in sorting out a problem or disagreement with a trader
  • Help you to complain to a trader
  • Help you make a complaint about a trader that you believe has done something wrong
  • Tell you what your rights as a consumer are
  • Provide pre-shopping advice before you buy goods or services
  • Provide general advice on how to avoid unscrupulous traders or 'cowboys
  • Explain consumer-related issues such as warranties, buying credit, internet shopping, refunds and replacement etc
  • Provide advice on avoiding trading scams

If your complaint or query is outside the remit of Consumer Direct it will be referred to the appropriate Trading Standards department or similar agency. This will depend on where you live, where the trader is situated and/or where the contract was made.

Contact Consumer Direct

You can contact Consumer Direct by telephone on 08454 04 05 06 to speak to a qualified adviser. The service operates from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, excluding bank holidays and public holidays. You will receive advice and information free of charge. Your telephone call will be charged for and cost no more than 4 pence per minute for BT customers (other networks may vary).

Consumer Direct

Alternatively, you may want to visit the Consumer Direct website.