Consumer rights

Trading Standards officers spotted the following bogus deals in Travel Agents’ windows:

• From £279 - Menorca, 14 nights
  Actual cost: £309
• From £199 - Algarve, 7 nights
  Actual cost: £229
• From £209 - Cyprus, 7 nights
  Actual cost: £289

Source: Oxfordshire County Council, Trading Standards, 2003

Don’t let unscrupulous traders con you out of your money. There are laws to ensure that you get what you pay for. This list of 10 laws governing buyers and sellers will get you started on the road to intelligent consumerism:

1. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 says that anything you buy from a shop whether new, secondhand or on sale must be of free of faults (unless they are pointed out to you), just as described in ads or in-store promotions, and fit for all its intended purposes.
2. Shops must give you a full refund if you return faulty goods immediately, even if you bought them on sale. You do not have to accept a credit note, have the product repaired or take a replacement.
3. A shop can not refuse to consider your complaint unless you have a receipt. Any proof of purchase can be used.
4. If you buy from a private individual, the item must be ‘as advertised’.
5. Any service you pay for, such as a travel agent or hairdresser, must be provided with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time and for a reasonable fee.
6. You don’t have to pay for work you didn’t agree to.
7. Never pay money in advance for goods or services unless you have checked out the company.
8. If you have a problem write to the shop manager. Save a copy in case you decide to pursue a claim in Small Claims court.
9. Get advice from Trading Standards or Environmental Health.
10. If you buy something faulty that damages your property or causes an injury you can claim compensation.

Key link: Oxfordshire Trading Standards www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Employment rights

> If you are 15-16 you must not work

• During school hours on any school day
• Over 12 hours in any week during term time
• Over 35 hours during school holidays
• Before 7am or after 7pm
• Over 4 hours without a break of 1 hour
• In a factory or mine, transport or construction team or on a registered merchant ship

> If you are 16-17 you are entitled to:

• Work 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week but not between 10pm-6am with some
  exceptions
• 12 hours of rest between each working day and 2 days of rest each working week
• 30 minutes of rest when working over 4.5 hours
• 4 weeks annual paid holidays
• Time off for study or training paid at the normal hourly rate
• Join the armed forces with permission from your parents
• Work in a bar as part of an approved training scheme

> If you are pregnant ...

• You don’t have to leave your job
• You can return to work up to 29 weeks after the baby is born if you have a year or more of
  service; give notice to return as stated in your contract
• You are entitled to 18 weeks leave with Statutory Maternity Pay

Key link: www.acas.org.uk

Voting rights

You have the right to vote in local and general elections as soon as you turn 18, but to do so your name must be on the Register of Electors. You can add your name to this list as soon as you turn 16 by using the form sent to every
household each Autumn or picking one up from your local council office. The council must have your form before April if you want to vote in a May election. Some people believe that 16 year olds should be given the right to vote and
this is currently being considered by Parliament.

Key links: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, www.votesat16.org.uk