Buying Services
I took my leather boots to be reheeled at a local shoe repairers. When I collected them I noticed that the leather on one of the shoes had a bad scratch. These were quite new, expensive boots. What are my rights?*
Answer to the leather boots question
I booked an early morning taxi to take me to the airport, and gave the company full details of my flight and check-in times. The taxi was an hour late, and as a consequence, I missed my flight. I was able to travel 5 hours later, but had to pay the airline a supplement. Can I claim compensation from the taxi company?*
I paid £25 for a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to my friend's house on her birthday from a local florist. When I went to see her the next day, I was disappointed in them - it was a very poor selection and half of them were wilting already. What are my rights?*
Answer to bouquet of flowers question
My daughter is getting married, and we took 8 metres of pure silk to a dressmaker who measured her and made a dress. However the dressmaker has made a dreadful job of it - the dress doesn't fit properly, the pattern on the fabric has not been matched. I don't think that it can be put right and the wedding is only 6 weeks off. What can we do?*
I employed a removals company when I moved house recently. Several items were delivered broken and some were lost. What rights do I have?*
I made an appointment at a beautician's salon, but didn't go as something turned up. The salon has now written to me, asking for payment. They say they could have taken other clients if I had notified them that I wasn't turning up. Can they do this?*
I went to a new hairdresser for a perm. Within a few days I had an inflamed patch of skin on the top of my head. The stylist blamed the batch of solution. Can I claim any compensation?*
Answer to hairdresser question
I recently took an evening dress to the dry cleaners, and I pointed out a stain. When I collected it, the stain was still there and the fabric had faded. I complained but the dry cleaner pointed to a notice stating 'we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage howsoever caused'. What are my rights?*
Answer to dry cleaners question
My 5 year old VCR has started damaging my video tapes so I took it to a local repairer, and asked if they thought it was worth repairing. I was told they would charge £25 for a quotation for examining the VCR. Can they do this?*
My microwave needed repairing 2 months ago, and I paid an engineer to fix it. It has gone wrong again, and the engineer says I will have to pay for another repair. Surely he is liable?*
Recently my computer broke down. The repairer said it was the hard disk drive and fitted a new one, but a couple of weeks later the fault reappeared. I spoke to the manager who said I would have to pay for the second repair. Is this right?*
I took the day off work for the engineer to come and repair my washing machine. He failed to show up. Can I claim compensation for my wasted time?*
What are my rights when I employ a trader to do work for me?*
I buy heating oil from a local supplier. How do I know I'm getting what I pay for?
Answer to heating oil question
What steps can I take to ensure I receive the quantity of heating oil I pay for?
* The Frequently Asked Questions were developed by the Crossing the Boundaries partnership (CtB) of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.