Protection

[lynbrown]

We are disputing a new couch, we think it is substandard. People have advised me to get the credit company involved. What help/ protection can they offer?

[Flonska]

S 75 of the consumer credit act gives extra protection if things go wrong and you have paid for goods and services using a credit card:-

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/section-75-of-the-consumer-credit-act

[Hymie]

Since the product involved is a couch, you might be advised to use the furniture ombudsman to resolve the dispute.

However I would advise you avoid them like the plaque – I was involved in a dispute that I placed before them, which was found in the retailers favour (despite trading standards advising me that the retailer was in the wrong).

I then investigated the furniture ombudsman to find that it is an organisation funded by the retailers (no conflict of interest there, then).
Unfortunately since I had placed the matter before the furniture ombudsman for a ruling, the financial ombudsman refused to investigate the matter.

Although banks and other financial institutions fund the financial ombudsman service – it is mandatory that they pay into the scheme – whereas the furniture ombudsman has to attract members to pay their fees, in order to stay in business.

So you have been warned – avoid the furniture ombudsman at all costs.