The majorities of companies are set up legally and abide by the law, including respecting their customers basic rights. However, as with everything there are always a few rogue companies or individuals that are trying to rip off members of the public as well as large retail chains.

Builders, electricians, plumbers, maintenance and car repairs are among the few examples of the easier trades to abuse people’s rights with. If you are not trained in these areas it is easy for someone with the knowledge to create problems where there were not any or simply lie. This is against the law as it breaches many of the laws covering our consumer rights.

After purchasing an item or goods from either an illegitimate company or under false pretenses, the most common course of action to be taken by the trader will be not return your calls and avoid the situation. This is done with the hope that the consumer will tire, get bored or simply give up on their quest to use their rights.

When buying goods privately your rights are more at risk. The seller may have no knowledge of the law or may not be interested in seeing that you are a satisfied customer, especially if they are not making a living from selling.

The elderly, young and disabled are at the highest risk of having their rights abused by a rogue trader. These people may not be as aware of a potential con or be unaware of their rights. Even if they do know that the goods they bought were faulty or a service they paid for as not completed satisfactually, they may not have the ability or resources to take the issue any further.