Consumers 'should look out for OFT code logo'

Friday, March 19th 2010

Consumers are being urged to look for the Approved code logo from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) as a sign of good customer service.

This follows findings from the OFT showing that almost one-quarter of consumers do not think companies offer food customer service.

But those that follow the OFT Code of Approval scheme show they offer better service with a recognised complaints resolution procedure.

And firms with poor records are likely to suffer from bad word-of-mouth, with 82 per cent of respondents saying that they would tell their friends and family not to use a business where they had had a bad experience with customer service.

Some of them would go to the trouble of posting a negative review on the firm's website.

Head of codes at the OFT Charles Wallace said: "Consumers clearly expect good standards of service and for many people it is an important part of the buying process."

The Consumer Codes Approval Scheme notes that firms with the OFT code will offer consumers fair treatment if the case of any problems.