Faulty goods and services fuels 20% jump in calls to consumer watchdog

Eir topped the list with with 546 contacts, Ryanair came in second place with 515 contacts, Currys concerned 258 contacts, 453 calls were made about Vodafone, while 423 people contacted the helpline in relation to Harvey Norman.

The competition watchdog reported a 20% increase in the number of consumers using its helpline annually, driven by consumer complaints concerning faulty goods and services.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said a total 39,172 consumers contacted the helpline last year to express discontentment, and five firms in particular were named by consumers when making complaints.

Eir topped the list with with 546 contacts, Ryanair came in second place with 515 contacts, Currys concerned 258 contacts, 453 calls were made about Vodafone, while 423 people contacted the helpline in relation to Harvey Norman.

“Consumers should be able to rely on the products they buy and the services they pay for, and when problems arise they have the right to redress, but all too often they’re having trouble getting the repair, replacement or refund they’re entitled to under the law,” said Grainne Griffin, CCPC director of communications.

Nearly 9,000 consumers were referred to the Small Claims Court, including over 1,000 people who had issues with domestic appliances, according to a report by the CCPC.

The top five sectors that consumers contacted the CCPC about were vehicles and transport with 4,501 contacts, telecommunications with 2,559, home building and improvements with 2,229, holiday and travel with 2,019, and finally clothing, footwear, and accessories with 1,886.

The report also showed that there was a small decline in the number of contacts about mortgages but it remained the leading cause for people to contact the CCPC in relation to personal finance queries, as consumers navigated a high interest rate environment created to drive down inflation.

There were notable increases in consumer contacts relating to motor insurance and loans.