Consumerline - About Us

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About Us

Consumerline is run in partnership between the Consumer Council and the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service. We provide information to help you avoid scams, dodgy deals, make a complaint and stay up to date with consumer law.

Did you know that not complaining costs you £219 a year?  So let us help you complain effectively.  Last year, Consumerline advisors helped consumers get back £1.7m in goodwill gestures and compensation.  

Here are examples of how Consumerline can help you:

  • A man bought a DVD player, which became faulty after a few months.  The trader said that he had to contact the manufacturer to get it repaired.  Following advice from Consumerline, he returned the DVD player to the trader and got a refund.
  • When a man complained to the garage that his car, which was less than six months old, needed a new fuel pump he was told that the pump wasn’t covered by warranty.  After advice from Consumerline, the man returned to the trader who fitted the fuel pump for free.
  • A suite of furniture was faulty when it was bought.  The trader offered to repair it, but the consumer wanted a refund.  After advice from Consumerline, the woman got a full refund.

Being informed and confident is good for you and good for business.  By complaining effectively you give companies a chance to listen to valuable feedback and put things right for you and for others.

So use Consumerline to learn your rights and responsibilities.  Find your consumer voice and be a clever consumer.

Complaints made to Consumerline have also led to the Trading Standards Service taking formal action and prosecuting retailers who break the law.

  • A County Antrim car dealer was prosecuted under misleading prices legislation, for falsely advertising a “free gift” with car purchases.
  • An estate agent was prosecuted for falsely advertising that a group of apartments had secure car parking, when this was not the case.
  • A double glazing firm received a formal caution for claiming that a double glazing installation contained glass to a specific standard, when the glass used did not conform to the standard.