After months of saving, you finally buy your new bed from a local retailer on the High Street and are promised delivery the next day. Five days later the bed still hasn’t arrived, your telephone calls to the shop go straight to answer-phone and then you find out the business has actually gone bust!
Credit cards and protection under the law
Paying for your purchases, either goods or services, with a credit card may give you extra protection if there is a problem.
If a purchase costs between £100 and £30,000, including VAT and you pay with your credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act says that the credit card company and retailer may be jointly responsible for compensating you if something goes wrong. This is known as equal liability.
Even if you do not pay the whole cost of the purchase by credit card, for example you pay the deposit by cash or cheque and the balance by credit card, or vice versa you are still covered under equal liability rules.
Exceptions
You are not covered if you pay for goods or services with credit card cheques or by company credit card.
If your purchase costs less than £100, it is a good idea to check whether or not your credit card company offers a Chargeback scheme.
What to do if you have a problem with your purchase
Try to sort it out with the trader first. If you do not make any progress, inform your credit card company of the issue as soon as possible.
Ask them how to make a claim under equal liability rules, or if the amount is for less than £100, for details of the Chargeback scheme.
Why the credit card company may try to deny liability
A second cardholder made the purchase
You may have an additional card on your account that is used by a second card holder. The credit card company may argue that purchases made by the second card holder are not protected by equal liability, stating that it applies only to the person who signed the original agreement.
However, if the second card holder makes a purchase for the main card holder, such as a weekend break in a hotel, a claim might be possible because it could be argued the second card holder is acting as your agent.
The main card holder would have to make the claim.
You used Paypal
If you buy goods or services via an electronic money company such as Paypal, you may not be covered for equal liability by your credit card provider as there is no longer a direct relationship between the trader and the credit card company.
You may be able to make a claim using the company’s own protection scheme.
You bought the goods abroad
You are covered by equal liability if you:
Use a credit card to buy something while you are abroad
Order goods from a foreign trader while you are abroad, for delivery to a UK address
Discuss a purchase with a foreign trader in the UK but the contract is not completed in the UK.
You claim an amount less than £100
If for example you buy an air ticket that costs less than £100 but is part of a package holiday that costs more, you may be covered by equal liability.
If you need more help try the Consumer Credit Association. You can also contact the Citizens Advice Service Consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 if you would like information or advice about any consumer issue. The lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.
Sue Phillips works at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Lincoln.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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