The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Important new legislation came into effect on 28th May 2008 that will compel businesses (including bouncy castle and inflatable hire businesses!) to adhere to new rules or else risk a prison sentence or a maximum fine of £5,000.
That’s great news for companies who treat their customers fairly, but bad news for those who don’t!
In total 31 unfair practices have been outlawed which come under these general headings:
1) Falsely claiming credentials.
2) Pricing and product/service information.
3) Promotional activities.
4) Competitions and prize draws.
5) Sales and after sales service.
(N.B. BIHA note: In the light of point 1 above, it is very important that all BIHA members say that they are members of the British Inflatable Hirers Alliance, and NOT the British Inflatable Hirers Association.
To read this new legislation in its entirety – please click on the link below:
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/530162/oft979.pdf
In a future article, this new legislation will be looked at in more detail to see what impact it will have on bouncy castle and inflatable hire companies. The good news is that companies offering a misleading or shoddy service will effectively be made illegal.
Article posted by the British Inflatable Hirers Alliance (BIHA) www.biha.org.uk on 1st June 2008.