Trading standards and SHOPS working together for better consumer protection

Royal Borough residents ordering and buying goods from national newspaper advertisements are getting a helping hand from borough trading standards officers to protect their money and their purchases.

Trading standards officers have been working with S.H.O.P.S. - the national newspapers Safe Home Ordering Protection Scheme whose administrative offices are in Maidenhead - to offer vital consumer protection for people ordering through newspaper adverts and sending payment in advance.

The advice to people ordering through national newspaper advertisements is to look out for the distinctive SHOPS sign on the advertisement - a sure sign that the consumer will receive compensation from SHOPS if the advertiser fails to deliver the goods.

As part of a joint project to raise awareness of the scheme, trading standards have been helping to distribute leaflets produced by SHOPS which highlight the ways in which purchases are protected.

They will also promote the SHOPS scheme when giving legal advice to consumers who have experienced purchasing problems, and ensure that online consumer advice mentions SHOPS where appropriate.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for public protection said: "I am delighted to be supporting a like-minded consumer protection organisation such as SHOPS, and seeing our actions making a difference to protecting consumers' money, in these hard economic times.

"It is a harsh climate with some companies folding and failing to send out promised goods so any protection schemes that will vet advertisers and pay out compensation to consumers is very welcome."

Ron Davis, SHOPS Chief Executive, said: "Always look for the SHOPS sign in advertisements in national newspapers that ask you to send your money in advance of receiving the advertised goods.

"SHOPS will reimburse you if the advertiser fails to deliver the goods because of insolvency or ceasing to trade. This level of consumer protection is unique to national newspapers and we are very pleased to work with trading standards to help us publicise the scheme."

The SHOPS scheme also covers purchases made online where the product highlighted in a national newspaper advert was subsequently purchased over the internet. Another development is the planned inclusion of perishables such as buying cut flowers or food hampers.

For further information call Steven Bentley at SHOPS on 01628 641 934 or go to www.shops-uk.org.uk

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