Consumer Advice and Protection

Advice and information for consumers is provided by a number of different agencies, including Bedfordshire Trading Standards and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

When you buy a product you are entitled to expect that it is fit for its purpose. It should do all the things you bought it for and continue to work properly for a reasonable period. If not you are entitled to your money back in civil law.

If you pay someone for a service, like a builder, plummer or even a dry cleaner, you are entitled to a reasonable standard of workmanship at a reasonable cost and in a reasonable time. That means that you should not be charged an excessive amount compared to the competition and the job should achieve the purpose.

You are not entitled to your money back if you just change your mind, or you have broken the product. If there were changing rooms in the clothes shop, you can't ask for a refund if the garment does not fit, or you don't like the colour.

Shop keepers are entitled to serve who they like, when they like. They are entitled to refuse your custom. Shopkeepers are not allowed to sell hazardous products like alcohol, glue, knives, sex and violent videos or cigarettes to children.

Information about certain topics can be found by clicking on the links below.

Citizens Advice Bureau - Find out what the Citizens Advice Agency does, and how to contact them

Consumer Advice Agencies - Useful links to other agencies that offer consumer advice

Consumer Complaints - Here you can find links to agencies that offer advice to consumers about making a complaint

Debt and Money - Links to services providing advice about debt and money

Useful Addresses - a list of useful addresses of associations, councils and ombudsman.

reviewed 11 April 2008