This week is National Consumer Week and the theme this year is all about buying from afar.  This can mean buying from a website, via a TV shopping channel, from a catalogue, ordering over the phone or responding to a magazine advertisement.

The week is being supported locally by the Comhairle’s Trading Standards Service, in partnership with Consumer Direct, the Government-funded consumer advice servi

A Comhairle spokesperson said “the theme of this year’s National Consumer Week is particularly relevant to consumers in the Western Isles as a great deal of our shopping is done in this way.  However, our experience shows that many consumers are in the dark about their rights and the potential pitfalls involved and also that many businesses that trade on-line are not clued up about their legal obligations to consumers.  There is an urgent need to improve awareness among shoppers and sellers and to highlight the danger signs.”

The Comhairle’s Trading Standards Service will be marking National Consumer Week by hosting several events at the major supermarkets in Stornoway.  Advice Centres will be set up at Somerfield on Friday afternoon (16th November) and at the Coop on Saturday morning where consumers can obtain information to help make “buying from afar” a safer experience.

Consumers can also obtain information about their rights by contacting Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.