Most frequent complaints

Our customer advisers receive more calls and emails from UK consumers wanting advice and support on some topics than others. Amongst some of the most common topics for complaints and enquiries are:

* Holiday clubs and timeshares
* Car rentals
* Audio-visual, photographic and information-processing equipment electrical goods

Holiday clubs and timeshares

The UK European Consumer Centre received more than 2000 complaints and enquiries about holiday clubs and timeshares in the year from the end of January 2009, covering all nature of complaints about holiday clubs and timeshare, including scams. The area most hit for discount holiday club complaints is Spain (including the Canary Islands), with an increase in this type of complaint about Malta and Cyprus. Other countries are also affected.

Car rentals

There were more than 300 complaints and enquiries from UK consumers about car rentals from the end of January 2009 to the end of January 2010, including scams. Countries involved can include Spain, Italy and Ireland, although other countries can be involved.

Audio-visual and photographic equipment

The UK ECC received more than 500 complaints and enquiries about audio-visual, photographic and information-processing equipment electrical goods to the UK European Consumer Centre in the year from the end of January 2009, covering all nature of complaints, including scams. The figure includes both fake/counterfeit or inferior goods, as well as faulty goods.

Please contact the UK European Consumer Centre if you need free advice and support in dealing with your dispute with a trader based in a European country outside the UK. The UK ECC provides advice in the following main areas: buying goods and services, online shopping, internet auctions, timeshares and holiday clubs and air travel.