It was the BBQ of a lifetime, the day after a reader’s wedding day. However, afterwards Irish Country Living received a call from the distressed bride. Her vendor let her down badly, heading off with €1,000, but leaving her very dissatisfied with the service. “Where do I stand?” she cried.
Irish consumers have got better when it comes to complaining. Now, over 75% of us will stand up for ourselves – but that still leaves a quarter perplexed as what to do.
While some steer clear of confrontation, others don’t believe their complaint will make any difference. Be aware that many businesses deal with minor complaints frequently, and issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently.
1Complaining in Person
So if your complaint is small – such as a meal that’s not up to scratch – often a casual informal complaint in person is your best approach to get things sorted fast.
Fergal O’Leary, member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), says: “It is important to stand up for your rights – be calm, assertive and research your rights on www.consumerhelp.ie before contacting the trader so that you’re fully informed.
“Complain to the retailer or trader as soon as possible and make sure that you get to speak to the manager or someone who will have the authority to deal with your complaint. Be reasonable and stick to the facts and keep notes and documentation, such as a receipt, to support your complaint.
“Before making a complaint, decide on the compensation you require, so you can be clear with the trader as to how they can resolve your issue. For example, make it clear that you are looking for a replacement, a repair, a refund or completion of an unfinished service.
“If you are not happy with the response you get in person or over the phone, you may want to take your complaint further by writing a letter.”
2Putting Pen to Paper
If you’re taking your complaint to the next step, it’s important to get things in writing, so everything is documented from the start. Plus it goes straight to the complaints or customer services department, instead of you waiting on the phone for hours.
While you might be more comfortable putting pen to paper, it can sometimes be more effective to start documenting things via email, so you have a very clear trail of communication.
Fergal says: “If your problem continues and you’re getting nowhere, make a formal complaint in writing, either by email or letter.
“Look at the sample complaint letters in the How to Complain section on the CCPC’s consumer website (www.consumerhelp.ie) for help on what to include in your letter – the CCPC provides a template letter about faulty goods and poor services. Remember there is lots of helpful information on www.consumerhelp.ie about your consumer rights.”
3Small Claims Court
Still not happy? If you’ve exhausted all reasonable avenues with a retailer, then the next step is
the Small Claims Court. The good news is it is cheap – costing €25 to lodge a complaint for a goods or
services complaint to the value of €2,000.
The bad news is your complaint moves onto your local district court and this can seem quite intimidating to many consumers.
However, it isn’t a very arduous process and if the business doesn’t reply within 15 days, your complaint is considered undisputed and you will be awarded for the amount claimed.
If they do dispute, you may need to seek legal advice, but don’t let that put you off if you are confident in your consumer rights.
Writing your
complaint letter
1. Keep it short, clear and to the point2. Give a brief story of what happened, the date it occurred, who you dealt with and what happened afterwards.3. Check to see what your consumer rights are. If unsure, contact the CCPC to get guidance. State your consumer rights in the letter.4. State how you want your complaint to be resolved.5. State how long you are prepared to wait to have your complaint dealt with, for example two weeks. Give the retailer a reasonable chance to sort things out, as it may save time and money in the future.Celebrating small business at Ploughing
Starting out in business can be challenging but the first-ever Local Enterprise Village Awards took place at the National Ploughing Championships last week, and small companies were celebrated and brought to the forefront.
Galway firm, Green Earth Organics, won the consumer product category, while the consumer service category went to The Irish Workshop in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Scotts Irish Cider in Cavan was awarded the food and drink category and two vision awards were presented to Celtic Gent in Fingal and to SUIP Manufacturing in Sligo respectively.
The visual display award, which was judged separately by Irish Country Living’s Mairead Lavery, was won by Emerald Oils in Tipperary.
A total of 84 small companies, all of which showcased their products and services in the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships last week, took part in the awards competition.
Further details are available throughwww.localenterprise.ie
Roaming
charges
Goodbye roaming charges – we’ll see you later, as the European Commission have agreed that roaming for consumers across Europe will be abolished on 15 June 2017.
However, we’ll still have to be a little careful, not necessarily for holiday goers but more those who live between countries. This is because the EU wants to ensure the “Roam at Home” mechanism isn’t abused.
Abuses could be related to the mass purchase and resale of SIM cards for permanent use outside the country, particularly for planned criminal activity.
What is more worrying is that problems will occur for consumers who have very little phone traffic in the home country that their phone is registered, versus lots of roaming traffic in another country for a prolonged period of time.
This could happen quite innocently to students on the Erasmus programme or people working abroad.
Irish Country Living will keep you updated on the exact laws announced before June 2017 to ensure you’re not caught out.
Baking Dealz
When the days are dark, there is nothing like pulling out the mixing bowl, pouring the flour and sugar and whipping up a sweet treat. And we are loving the really cheap but cute range of baking accessories now available in Dealz.
Colourful and practical kitchenware and utensils from the Jane Asher baking range start at €1.50 and include spatulas, whisks, cake slices, zesters, pastry brushes, icing pens, tongs and cookie cutters.
You’ll also find practical cake tins, wire racks and loaf tins and ceramics for serving crumbles and cheesecakes.
You’ll forget about the Great British Bake Off disputes as you’ll be so busy in your own kitchen.
It was the BBQ of a lifetime, the day after a reader’s wedding day. However, afterwards Irish Country Living received a call from the distressed bride. Her vendor let her down badly, heading off with €1,000, but leaving her very dissatisfied with the service. “Where do I stand?” she cried.
Irish consumers have got better when it comes to complaining. Now, over 75% of us will stand up for ourselves – but that still leaves a quarter perplexed as what to do.
While some steer clear of confrontation, others don’t believe their complaint will make any difference. Be aware that many businesses deal with minor complaints frequently, and issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently.
1Complaining in Person
So if your complaint is small – such as a meal that’s not up to scratch – often a casual informal complaint in person is your best approach to get things sorted fast.
Fergal O’Leary, member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), says: “It is important to stand up for your rights – be calm, assertive and research your rights on www.consumerhelp.ie before contacting the trader so that you’re fully informed.
“Complain to the retailer or trader as soon as possible and make sure that you get to speak to the manager or someone who will have the authority to deal with your complaint. Be reasonable and stick to the facts and keep notes and documentation, such as a receipt, to support your complaint.
“Before making a complaint, decide on the compensation you require, so you can be clear with the trader as to how they can resolve your issue. For example, make it clear that you are looking for a replacement, a repair, a refund or completion of an unfinished service.
“If you are not happy with the response you get in person or over the phone, you may want to take your complaint further by writing a letter.”
2Putting Pen to Paper
If you’re taking your complaint to the next step, it’s important to get things in writing, so everything is documented from the start. Plus it goes straight to the complaints or customer services department, instead of you waiting on the phone for hours.
While you might be more comfortable putting pen to paper, it can sometimes be more effective to start documenting things via email, so you have a very clear trail of communication.
Fergal says: “If your problem continues and you’re getting nowhere, make a formal complaint in writing, either by email or letter.
“Look at the sample complaint letters in the How to Complain section on the CCPC’s consumer website (www.consumerhelp.ie) for help on what to include in your letter – the CCPC provides a template letter about faulty goods and poor services. Remember there is lots of helpful information on www.consumerhelp.ie about your consumer rights.”
3Small Claims Court
Still not happy? If you’ve exhausted all reasonable avenues with a retailer, then the next step is
the Small Claims Court. The good news is it is cheap – costing €25 to lodge a complaint for a goods or
services complaint to the value of €2,000.
The bad news is your complaint moves onto your local district court and this can seem quite intimidating to many consumers.
However, it isn’t a very arduous process and if the business doesn’t reply within 15 days, your complaint is considered undisputed and you will be awarded for the amount claimed.
If they do dispute, you may need to seek legal advice, but don’t let that put you off if you are confident in your consumer rights.
Writing your
complaint letter
1. Keep it short, clear and to the point2. Give a brief story of what happened, the date it occurred, who you dealt with and what happened afterwards.3. Check to see what your consumer rights are. If unsure, contact the CCPC to get guidance. State your consumer rights in the letter.4. State how you want your complaint to be resolved.5. State how long you are prepared to wait to have your complaint dealt with, for example two weeks. Give the retailer a reasonable chance to sort things out, as it may save time and money in the future.Celebrating small business at Ploughing
Starting out in business can be challenging but the first-ever Local Enterprise Village Awards took place at the National Ploughing Championships last week, and small companies were celebrated and brought to the forefront.
Galway firm, Green Earth Organics, won the consumer product category, while the consumer service category went to The Irish Workshop in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Scotts Irish Cider in Cavan was awarded the food and drink category and two vision awards were presented to Celtic Gent in Fingal and to SUIP Manufacturing in Sligo respectively.
The visual display award, which was judged separately by Irish Country Living’s Mairead Lavery, was won by Emerald Oils in Tipperary.
A total of 84 small companies, all of which showcased their products and services in the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships last week, took part in the awards competition.
Further details are available throughwww.localenterprise.ie
Roaming
charges
Goodbye roaming charges – we’ll see you later, as the European Commission have agreed that roaming for consumers across Europe will be abolished on 15 June 2017.
However, we’ll still have to be a little careful, not necessarily for holiday goers but more those who live between countries. This is because the EU wants to ensure the “Roam at Home” mechanism isn’t abused.
Abuses could be related to the mass purchase and resale of SIM cards for permanent use outside the country, particularly for planned criminal activity.
What is more worrying is that problems will occur for consumers who have very little phone traffic in the home country that their phone is registered, versus lots of roaming traffic in another country for a prolonged period of time.
This could happen quite innocently to students on the Erasmus programme or people working abroad.
Irish Country Living will keep you updated on the exact laws announced before June 2017 to ensure you’re not caught out.
Baking Dealz
When the days are dark, there is nothing like pulling out the mixing bowl, pouring the flour and sugar and whipping up a sweet treat. And we are loving the really cheap but cute range of baking accessories now available in Dealz.
Colourful and practical kitchenware and utensils from the Jane Asher baking range start at €1.50 and include spatulas, whisks, cake slices, zesters, pastry brushes, icing pens, tongs and cookie cutters.
You’ll also find practical cake tins, wire racks and loaf tins and ceramics for serving crumbles and cheesecakes.
You’ll forget about the Great British Bake Off disputes as you’ll be so busy in your own kitchen.
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