Rights & wrongs

Over 30,000 customers contact watchdog over service

- SEAN MURPHY

MORE than 30,000 disgruntled shoppers complained to the consumers' watchdog about alleged shoddy services and goods, with thousands of these ending up in court, figures show.

Some of the complaints were made against the likes of Bord Gais, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Sky, Vodafone and Ticketmaster, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Yesterday, it published a list to mark World Consumer Rights Day and detail which companies generated the most complaints last year.

The CCPC's 2022 Contacts Report said Eir, Bord Gais and Harvey Norman were at the top, followed by Ryanair, Sky, Currys, Vodafone, Aer Lingus, Ticketmaster and PowerCity.

A spokesperson said: "Contacts relating to these 10 traders make up 19% of the total number of named trader contacts.

The CCPC revealed 32,431 consumers contacted its helpline last year, a reduction on 2021 when 37,094 consumers contacted the helpline. From the 2022 figure of 32,431, more than 7,000 were referred to the Small Claims Court.