CONSUMER DIRECT News
Release (090414buggies) issued by COI News Distribution Service on
14 April 2009
Consumer Direct is
urging new and expectant parents to be aware of their consumer
rights when buying baby buggies, prams and pushchairs, as new
figures show a significant increase in complaints.
In the three month period to the end of February 2009,
government-funded advice service Consumer Direct received 1219
complaints about baby transport, an increase of 67 per cent on the
same period in the previous year. Almost half of these complaints
were about products costing over £300.
While many complaints were about customer service issues or
business failures, a significant number were about products which
were faulty on arrival or which developed faults soon after their
first use. Customers reported steering faults, wheels falling off
and buggies collapsing, as well as problems such as badly fitting
hoods and footrests.
Pushchairs bought on the high street or online must be of
satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and match their description.
If they are not, shoppers may be able to claim a repair,
replacement, or a partial or full refund.
Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct said:
'Pushchairs can be a big outlay at an expensive time for
parents so if things go wrong, it's worth remembering
you've got rights. If an item is inherently faulty, it's
down to the retailer to put it right by offering you a refund,
repair or a replacement.'
Consumer Direct has the following tips for people buying buggies
and pushchairs:
* Make sure you check the product as soon as you get it home. If
you notice a fault, stop using it. If you return it to the
retailer straight away, you should be able to 'reject'
it and claim a full refund.
* If you have had some use out of the product before the fault
becomes apparent you may lose your right to a full refund, but you
could be entitled to a repair, like for like replacement or
partial refund.
* Under remedies introduced in 2003, if a fault occurs within the
first six months after purchase, it's up to the trader to
prove that the fault was not present at the time of sale.
* Any term requiring consumers to inspect the goods on delivery
and inform the trader immediately of any faults or else lose the
right to a refund or rejection, may potentially be an unfair term
and therefore unenforceable.
* When buying a product costing more than £100 and under £30,000,
using a credit card will give you extra protection if things go wrong.
* Keep your receipt as proof of purchase as this could help you
when making a claim.
Anyone unclear about their rights or unsure how to make a claim
can call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the website at
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
-ends-
Editor's Notes:
* Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice
service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair
Trading. It operates in partnership with Local Authority Trading
Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and
impartial advice and information.
* Consumer Direct has around 400 trained advisors in 12 contact
centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
* The information and advice helpline is available on a single
national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 - 1830 Monday
to Friday, and 0900 - 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and
public holidays.
* A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454
04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
* Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no
more than four pence per minute from a BT landline and may be free
depending on your call plan. Call charges from other landline
providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with
your phone service provider.
* Northern Ireland has its own service called ConsumerLine
(available on 08456 00 62 62) which is similar to Consumer Direct.
Frank Shepherd
Press Officer
t 020 7211 8133
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk