Consumer Affairs

Links

Which? Magazine

for impartial, expert advice from the Consumer's Association

Advertising Standards Authority

who monitor adverts in the UK

AntiTelemarketer's Source

for those against telephone marketing

BBC Watchdog

the BBC UK consumer television programme

Consumer Direct

offers information and advice for consumers.

Court Service

advice on going to court in the UK

HM Revenue and Customs

advice on excise duties and VAT if you're buying from outside the UK

ICO (Information Commissioner's Office)

Data Protection Registrar - you have the right to object to your personal details being used for direct marketing

Ethical Consumer

looking at the social and environmental records of the companies behind the brand names

Fairtrade

better prices, working conditions, sustainability and fair terms of trade for the developing world

Fed up with junk phone calls ?

advice for UK residents

Friends of the Earth

inspires solutions to environmental problems which make life better for people.

Global Action Plan

charity encouraging the public to be more environmentally sustainable

Mailing Preference Service

Telephone Preference Service

Office of Fair Trading

helpful online shopping advice

Ofcom Office of Communications

independent regulator and competition authority for the UK

Froogle or Kelkoo or Shopping.com or Price Runner

price comparisons

Trust UK

a non-profit organisation endorsed by the UK government to enable consumers to buy online with confidence

Trading Standards Authority

consumer protection information in the UK

Endorsements

companies who know the meaning of customer service and/or good product

Cater Allen Business Banking

good company chequebook account

Croydon Eye Centre

competitive pricing and good, friendly service from this opticians

Curry Garden, Redhill

good, cheap food, really reliable service

Dell

reliable computers, better than average customer service, good web support

For Your Home

Online shop for home goods. Gets things right when things go wrong.

The Oriental, Merstham

excellent Chinese take-away

Owen & co.

Redhill solicitors

Personal Computer World magazine

impartial, expert advice

Southern Sheds

reasonably priced, very customisable

Wickes

competitively priced DIY chain

Blacklist

useless companies to steer clear of at all costs (in my experience)

Altons Chartered Accountants

lack of attention to detail

Janice, my local Betterware distributor

Betterware is associated with the Direct Selling Association

Camden Contact Lens Centre

rude and keep you waiting

Donyngs Recreation Centre, Redhill

awful condition of bar & hall courts, unhelpful

Gateway2000

no concept of customer service - no replies to customer letters

Goodmans

shoddy goods, no concept of customer service - no replies to customer letters

HSBC (Midland Bank)

inept & expensive

Prezzo Italian Restaurant, Redhill

"but I didn't order a slug !"

Sidlow Garages, (VW), East Grinstead

no good at their job

South Central Trains and Railtrack

delays, cancellations, lack of pertinent information, rude

all telemarketing companies

for wasting our time and invading our privacy

all tobacco companies

except Silk Cut's advertising department

Anti-Smoking

the right to breathe clean air

ASH and ASH UK

Action on Smoking and Health

Quit Smoking.com

information and products to help smokers quit

Smoking From All Sides

links about all perspectives of smoking

Anti-Smoking.org

smoke free youth (of America)

Tobacco.org

news and info