Internet Trading
Sales of goods and services on the internet are now central to the modern economy and consumers in the Highlands rely on this form of buying and selling. Trading Standards has the responsibility of ensuring that these sales are carried out fairly.
When buying on-line, consumers are protected by a range of measures. These oblige internet sellers to:
• Provide consumers with all the information necessary to make an informed purchase decision before they decide to buy
• Provide important contractual information in writing by e-mail or paper copy
• Allow the consumer a “cooling off” period of seven days in most cases
• Provide information in a clear, unambiguous and timely manner
Highland Council’s Trading Standards Officers investigate complaints from consumers and any other source of information which suggests businesses are not complying. Additionally, they carry out inspections of locally-based websites, and have conducted projects looking at sites across the country. In all cases, appropriate action is taken to ensure errant sites are brought into line.
Internet Sales Survey
A survey conducted in 2009 by Trading Standards Officers from The Highland Council found two-thirds of websites failing to comply with laws designed to protect on-line buyers. North consumers are especially dependent on the internet due to the geography of the Highlands and “e-Regulation” is a high priority for the local Trading Standards Service. One hundred sites based throughout the UK were checked for compliance with Trading Standards laws and a range of problems identified.
Click on the link below to read the full report.
Internet Sales Report