13 Problems with Goods and Services
Download Problems with goods and services (PDF File, 270kb)
2. What is the difference between ´goods´ and ´services´?
3. Dealing with problems with goods (products)
4. What the law says a retailer must do about faulty goods
5. What if a product hurts someone or damages something?
6. What if I buy by phone or mail order, or over the internet?
7. What if something is wrong with the food I have bought?
8. What are my rights if I buy on credit ?
9. Dealing with problems with services
10. What the law says a service provider must do
11. Ways to sort out your problem
12. Further help
Trading Standards
Your local trading standards department is listed in the phone book, either under ‘trading standards’ or in the listings for your local council.
You can also find trading standards and general consumer information and advice at their website.
Consumer Direct
This is a phone- and internet-based consumer advice service.
phone: 08454 04 05 06, 8am to 6:30pm weekdays, 9am to 1pm Saturday.
Office of Fair Trading
phone:0845 7224 499
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
phone: 020 7421 7444
British and Irish Ombudsman (BIOA)
phone:020 8894 9272
The Court Service website
For copies of forms and leaflets, contact your local court (see under 'Courts' in the phone book)
The Community Legal Service
The Community Legal Service has been set up to help you find the right legal information and advice to solve your problems.
You can get help through a national network of organisations including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Law Centres, many independent advice centres and thousands of high street solicitors. All of these services meet quality standards set by the Legal Services Commission, look for the Community Legal Service logo:
Many of the organisations offer some or all of the their services for free. If you cannot afford to pay for advice you may be eligible for financial support through the Community Legal Service Fund (Legal Aid). You can order leaflets about funding from the LSC Leaflet line on 0845 3000 343.
You can use the Directory on the Community Legal Advice website http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/ to find details of quality assured advice providers.
The Legal Services Commission (LSC)
The Community Legal Service and the Community Legal Service Fund are managed by the Legal Services Commission. To find out more about us visit our website at http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/ or find the details for your local Legal Services Commission office in the phone book.
More about the CLS Quality Mark
Return to the Community Legal Advice Home Page
This leaflet is published by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It was written in association with Sue Bloomfield, a freelance consumer affairs writer.
Leaflet Version: November 2007