Off-peak Brits Receive Advice On Becoming Happier Consumers

Jan. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- UK visitors to Ireland are being urged to take steps to make their trip as smooth as possible and help save themselves money.

Now, in a move designed to make ‘happier visitors’ over Ireland’s busy off-peak season, the UK ECC has teamed up with the European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECC Ireland) to produce a leaflet keeping visitors informed about everything from what to expect from car rentals to what VAT is charged in restaurants.

The off-peak season (from October to April) is a favourite period for holidaymakers visiting Ireland from Great Britain. Brits are actually the most likely holidaymakers to arrive during the off-peak season (47% arrive between October and April, whereas only 33% of holidaymakers visiting Ireland from mainland Europe arrive over the same period)*.

The free leaflet being offered to UK visitors to Ireland is full of information and tips about:
 The best way to change pounds into Euros
 Car rentals
 Where to find out about accommodation and rating systems
 Restaurants and service charges
 Where to find out about entertainment
 Car parking and taxis

The leaflet can be downloaded from www.ukecc.net or a copy can be ordered by calling 08456 04 05 03. A similar leaflet has been produced for Irish visitors to the UK.

Jed Mayatt, UK European Consumer Centre Manager, said: “Consumers generally complain several weeks after they return from holiday, so we analysed the number of complaints the UK ECC handled from January to October 2009. The number of complaints on behalf of UK consumers in dispute with traders based in Ireland rose by four per cent over this period in 2009, compared to the same period in 2008.

“As holidaymakers are the most likely visitors to visit Ireland during the off-peak season, we decided that this off-peak season is the most appropriate time to give a helping hand – after all, well-informed consumers are likely to be happy consumers.

“Sometimes it is the ‘cultural differences’ between a consumer’s home country and where they are visiting that can lead to them becoming disgruntled and generally unhappy with their experiences abroad. So we decided that we would do what we could to give them tips to enhance their visit to Ireland.

“The UK is still in recession and consumers are often at their most vulnerable during recessions and whilst on holiday. Any difficulties can be multiplied when consumers make a purchase abroad. Consumers should feel as happy and confident about shopping anywhere in the EU as they do at home.”

The UK ECC, which is leading the way in Europe for receiving the largest number of consumer enquiries, handled more than 8,000 cases in 2008 (complaints and information requests), topping the number dealt with by Italy (just under 8,000), Germany (just under 6,000) and Austria (just over 5,500).

* The United Kingdom is defined as England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is defined as England, Wales and Scotland (excluding Northern Ireland).

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The UK ECC is part of a network that is made up of 29 centres throughout Europe. The centres work together in order to try and resolve consumer cross-border disputes in an amicable manner. We provide advice, information, and support to consumers.