Following talks held with the OFT, a number of internet auction sites have agreed to include and/or update information for consumers about their rights when buying through their sites. A study had found that some businesses trading through online auctions were failing to identify themselves as businesses despite 60 per cent of online auction shoppers wanting to know whether they were buying from a business. Shoppers who buy from a business using the ‘buy now’ option on an auction site have the right to return items under the DSRs for many products.

Steve Lisseter, Head of Internet Shopping Study Team at the OFT, said: ‘We welcome the efforts made by these online auction sites to raise awareness of consumers’ rights, and we are also very encouraged by the work they are doing to ensure that businesses using their sites are fully aware of their legal obligations.’

For clear practical advice on consumer rights when shopping online, and for help when buying from online auction sites, consumers can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit the Consumer Direct website.

Money Magic: Seven Simple Steps to True Financial Freedom (Quick Reads)

The Bank of England has announced, as was broadly expected, the official bank interest rate is to remain at 5.75% this month as it has for the last few months.

This comes at a time when the Halifax has announced a small drop in house prices in October of around a 0.5%. Meanwhile Nationwide found house prices had picked up a little in October. What is significant is how different this is from a year or so ago when we were expecting around 1 to 2% each month.

Tighter credit availability caused by the worldwide credit squeeze and higher interest rates are taking their toll on housepurchases. The once very profitable Buy To Let market also appears to be slowing as the likelyhood of large capital gains fades. Nobody can say what the future of the house market is but it would seem that if you are in the market to buy a house there is little reason to rush into it. Patience may prove to be a virtue.

Money Magic: Seven Simple Steps to True Financial Freedom (Quick Reads)

It has been announced that the Land Registry is to stop displaying the deeds of properties online. This follows concerns being very publicly broadcast on the BBC Radio 4, You And Yours program last week and an investigation by the Land Registry themselves.

There had been cases of people, particularly tenants, visiting the Land Registry website and downloading copies of the deeds and the owners signature and they were then able to make copies of the signature on forms sent back to the land registry to change ownership. It’s a shocking thing for anyone who it has happened to but these cases have only come to light when the ‘new owner’ has attempted to take possession of the house. If there were any patient criminals out there then it may be the case that a lot of people remain blissfully unaware that this illegal action has taken place. Presumably it could go unnoticed until the time they decide to sell.

It is quite shocking that nobody thought of this. We have a data protection act and surely that requires government bodies to take care of our private information. If it doesn’t it should and even if it doesn’t somebody should have seen the obvious dangers in all of this.

If you visit the land registry website one of the first things you see is this…

If you’re buying or selling a house or are just interested in property, you’ll be glad you visited Land Register Online

For properties you are interested in, you can download for only £3 each:

• a title plan defining the property (example)
• a title register where you can find out who owns the house or land, price paid/value stated information if sold since April 2000 and any rights of way or restrictions on the land (example)

For properties you are interested in, you can also download:

• all leases relating to the property (if referred to in the Register and available electronically) for £10 each
• all other documents relating to the property (if referred to in the Register and available electronically) for a total of £5

So now we know the real reason for this problem. It’s all about making money. Firstly why should it cost so much for a computer to spit out that information but secondly should this information be so easily available to anyone who pays the fee? A right of access to view in person would be wise and reasonable. The ability to download it all should surely require some evidence of a need to have copies. I remember a time when public service was supposed to be about service and there was pride in providing that service. No longer, it would seem. It’s all about the money.

Money Magic: Seven Simple Steps to True Financial Freedom (Quick Reads)