The European Consumer Centre for Services (ECCS) is available and helping consumers to take advantage of the internal market and to be confident consumers. Jane Negus, ECCS executive, says ‘It’s important for consumers to know their rights, and to be able to use this to get the best deal when buying services. The ECCS enables consumers to broaden their choice, buy confidently and know help is available in the event a problem may arise’.

The ECCS offers FREE pre-shopping advice when accessing services across the EU. Including:
• Distributive trades (including retail and wholesale of goods and services)
• Activities of most regulated professions (including Legal and tax advisers, architects, engineers, accountants, surveyors)
• Construction services and crafts
• Business-related services (including office maintenance, management consultancy, event organisation, debt recovery, advertising and recruitment)
• Tourism services (eg Travel agents)
• Leisure services (sports centres and amusement parks)
• Installation and maintenance of equipment
• Information society services (eg publishing, news agencies, computer programming)
• Accommodation and food services
• Training and education services
• Rentals and leasing services (including car rental)
• Real Estate
• Household support services (eg cleaning, gardening and private nannies)

• Consumers can make contact via the website - www.ukecc-services.net – or by phone on 08456 08 94 94 weekdays between 10am and 3pm. The website gives detailed information on country’s consumer organisations and redress bodies, and also information on service areas with tips for what to look out for and consumer rights when paying for services across Europe.

• Sometimes consumers are targeted for specific sales, such as holiday clubs and timeshare resale. Since opening 15% of enquiries have been timeshare resale related. We would always encourage consumers contacted by a resale or timeshare related company to contact the ECCS for further advice before entering into contract.

• Many other consumers are looking to relocate overseas for retirement or like to enjoy holidays in Europe, and so should feel confident in getting the best from the internal market and for their hard-earned money. Jane Negus says, ‘Consumers are often unsure of what their rights are when choosing an unfamiliar service provider and the best way to choose reliable service providers, the ECCS can provide information to enable consumers to make confident and informed choices.’

• The ECCS can access information from counterpart offices across 30 countries, including the 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

• The ECCS is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The Trading Standards Institute hosts the European Consumer Centre for Services at its head office.