Consumer Advice
Who can we help?
Like all local authority services, we have limited resources. We will, therefore, only provide advice and assistance on problems relating to faulty goods and services to residents and businesses in the City of Liverpool area.
If you live in a different local authority area, you will need to contact your own Trading Standards Department for advice or assistance. You can find your local service by visiting Trading Standards Central.
Who we are and what we do
Telephone advice, which forms the bulk of our requests for consumer advice, is currently provided by Consumer Direct North West, on our behalf. They can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06.
Briefly, Consumer Direct is the government-funded telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues. It is funded by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Services.
In the North West, Consumer Direct is in partnership with all 22 Local Authority Trading Standards Services, and provides free basic consumer advice to telephone callers (or online users) to help them resolve their problems. If that advice fails to resolve the matter, they will escalate the case to the Trading Standards Service where the caller resides. If you live in the City of Liverpool area, your case will be referred to our Consumer Advice & Education Team for attention/casework.
The Consumer Advice & Education Team, which is managed by Don Smith, deals with personal callers requiring advice and assistance (by appointment only) at the City Centre One Stop Shop within Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool. They also deal with e mail, letter and fax requests for consumer advice and assistance.
They receive Complaint referrals (escalated matters) on a daily basis from Consumer Direct North West. These referrals request our intervention/assistance, and result in casework.
Due to the nature of the work in Trading Standards, the Consumer Advice & Education team also assist the Enforcement staff in doorstep crime, Enterprise Act, anti-counterfeiting, and age restricted matters.
In addition, the Consumer Advice & Education Team carry out a comprehensive Rights for Life education programme to over 30 senior schools in Liverpool. This programme is now an integral part of the school curriculum, and has been for several years, as there is a requirement on schools to provide education on consumer rights. It is usually covered by the schools citizenship programme. On average, over 140 lessons to 5000+ pupils are carried out each school year.
Educational presentations to community groups, colleges and retail outlets are also carried out.
Contact Details:
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06
Fax: 0151 225 6039
E Mail: consumer.advice@liverpool.gov.uk
Correspondence to:
City of Liverpool Trading Standards
Public Protection Division
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street
Liverpool
L2 2DH