Consumer Advice

Find-a-Part handles thousands of requests per week, and the vast majority of transactions that occur as a result are straightforward. Unfortunately, problems do arise in a small amount of cases. This guide is here to explain how you can protect yourself by knowing what you are buying and which is the safest method of payment, and to help in the unlikely event that you have a problem with a supplier.

Problems can occur if there is a mis-communication between buyer and seller, especially when buying over a distance. For example, when people ask for just "an engine", without telling us the fuel type, or the engine size, or ideally the engine code, it is possible that the wrong engine will be sent to them if the customer is not clear about what they want to buy from the seller. This is why we recommend that you know, and tell us, as much as you can about the parts you are looking to replace before buying them. In the case of an engine, the engine size is located on the registration paperwork for the car, and the engine code is either usually printed on the engine block itself, or on the identification panel which can be found underneath the bonnet of the car.

It seems obvious to say this, but in a small number of instances, people have contacted us because they are unhappy with the service they have recieved, but do not know who they have bought from. Always find out the company name, and land line telephone number of the company you are dealing with when taking any quotes, and then call them back on that landline telephone number.

Find-a-Part recommends that all purchases over distance should be made using a credit card, or Visa debit card. The reason that we recommend these payment methods is because credit card companies provide chargeback facilities, which provides a good fall-back if you are unable to resolve an issue with a supplier. Bank Transfers, cheques and Maestro debit cards do not offer this level of protection. A good guide to the Visa Debit Chargeback process can be found here, and details on your rights under the Consumer Credit Act can be found here.

1. Contact Consumer Direct - Tel: 08454 04 05 06. This is a consumer interest group that deals with consumer inquiries and complaints.

2. The Association for Payment Clearing Services publishes advice for cardholders. You can find their key facts here.

3. The Office of Fair Trading deal with complaints received from consumers against Companies.

4. For issues regarding faulty goods and your rights, please refer to the Sale of Goods Act - quick facts for further information.

5. For legal help and proper explanations of the law you may also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau who can give you advice about your rights under the current law.

6. To find out what sellers have to provide you as a distance selling customer, consult the Distance Selling Regulations from the Ofiice of Fair Trading.

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