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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Rebecca Smithers

Disability aids firm faces string of customer complaints

Disability aids Sensory Education website.
Disability aids website that offers ‘super value’ has proved costly for customers. Photograph: Guardian

You helped a reader last year with a complaint about Cheap Disability Aids, which has changed its name to Sensory Education.

I have been chasing it for months about an order, but getting nowhere. How can we (as consumers) get it to face up to its shortcomings? There are numerous complaints on the web, but it is still trading. It’s appalling it plays on the sensory angle as it knows that parents will pay over the odds for things to help their children with disabilities. I’ve only lost £40, but reading the reviews I’m disgusted it still exists.

AB, Manchester, Lancs

We have also found it impossible to make contact, despite regularly emailing and phoning. If the seller is refusing to give you your money back, put your complaint in writing and follow its complaints procedure – although it sounds as if you have already hit a brick wall.

After everything we have read about this company in both its guises, we advise you to report it to trading standards, which you can do through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline (03454 04 05 06). The company’s head office is in Birmingham, so the team there is your best bet.

You might still be able to get your money back through your bank or payment provider, depending on how you paid. If it was by debit or credit card, and as the amount you are owed is less than £100, try to get your money back as a chargeback claim. You will need to contact your provider within its time limit – usually 120 days – which may well now be too late.

We would encourage any other disappointed shoppers to complain to trading standards to get them to tackle this organisation.

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions

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