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CONSUMER DIRECT EAST MIDLANDS HELPS 350,000 CONSUMERS IN THREE YEARS

Posted on 01/07/2008
P. Klein

350,000

Consumer Direct East Midlands, the government-backed consumer helpline, celebrates reaching its three year milestone this week as the advice service reveals it has helped 350,000 consumers in the region.

In the three years since Consumer Direct East Midlands launched, over 78,000 calls have been from Leicestershire consumers, wanting information on their rights and to complain about scams, rogue traders and all kinds of consumer issues.

The Consumer Direct East Midlands team of 27 Advisors has clocked up around 56,000 hours on the phone, advising the region’s consumers and helping them save time, money and stress in getting their consumer problems resolved. Each month the service responds to an average of 9,500 calls and over 300 emails.

A recent survey showed that of those who successfully resolved their complaint after contacting Consumer Direct, over half saved more than £100 per person through refunds, repairs and replacements with nine per cent saving more than £1000. In the last year, Consumer Direct has helped East Midland’s consumers save an estimated £6 million.

Sara Barry, Consumer Direct East Midlands Manager said: “In three years Consumer Direct East Midlands has been able to help thousands of people experiencing all kinds of problems with shops and traders. By providing access to clear, practical advice, Consumer Direct gives people the confidence to exercise their rights and get a fair deal for themselves.”

“From calls to Consumer Direct East Midlands, we have a much clearer picture of the consumer issues that are affecting people right across the region, from problems with mobile phone contracts to home improvements and cars.”

David Bull Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards said “Consumer Direct has brought real benefits to consumers in Leicestershire. It really does pay to give Consumer Direct a call if you have a problem with goods or services you have bought, if you want advice before you buy, or if you want to report a rogue trader. We work closely with Consumer Direct, and calls help Trading Standards to get a good picture of trading practices that are causing problems, enabling us to tackle rogue traders, focus on advice and assistance to legitimate local businesses, and assist consumers who are more vulnerable.”

Consumer Direct acts as the frontline for Trading Standards, taking reports of rogue trading, providing initial advice and giving people the tools to resolve their problem themselves. This enables Trading Standards to focus on dealing with the most serious issues and carrying out targeted enforcement activity.