OFT research shows customers will return if a complaint is successfully and carefully handled, highlighting the importance for the highest levels of customer service and protection for both consumers and businesses.

New research published by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) shows that making a complaint about an organisation can be stressful for British consumers. The research has been launched to mark the fifth anniversary of the first OFT Approved Code, which offers consumers the highest level of customer service and complaints procedures, should they need it.

The research showed that more than two thirds of consumers who have made a complaint found the experience stressful, and half of these consumers said that they were unhappy with the outcome. As a result, almost half would not choose to use the business again.

But despite this, the research shows that customer satisfaction was much greater where businesses had an easy to follow complaints procedure in place. In addition, nearly three quarters of British consumers who were satisfied with the outcome of their complaint said they would do business with the firm again suggesting that an effective complaints procedure can help businesses to retain customers.

The advice from consumer champion Lynn Faulds Wood is: “The average value of complaints is £934 – I recommend people get to know the OFT Approved Code sign and buy from companies where they should be less likely to have complaints as businesses in the Code scheme operate to higher standards.”

The Consumer Code of Approval Scheme (CCAS) is a series of codes that OFT has developed with industry bodies, such as British Association of Removers (BAR) on behalf of their members.

BAR members signed up to its Code commit to delivering the highest standards of customer service in the removals industry and to providing an easily-accessible and robust complaints resolution procedure when required. This means that when consumers do need to complain, the experience should be less stressful and time-consuming.

Calling all Algarve international movers!

Do you like to entertain? Would you like to win a cash prize and take part in a incredibly entertaining ITV1 hit show?

HOUSE GUEST is a fantastic feel-good programme where 5 couples take turns to host a dinner party, going all out with the cocktails, food and entertainment.

Each night the guests then score the host’s efforts before finding out which of them will then be staying over for the full bed and breakfast experience. This overnight stay is also scored and at the end of the week the hosts with the most win a big cash prize.

We are coming to the Algarve to film five episodes, and are looking for five expat couples who love to entertain and meet new people.

As couples, you could be married, related, friends, work-mates or any other kind of partnership!

Contestants must be able to give up five evenings in the week, and 1 day (or at least an afternoon) on the day they are hosting. Only 1 person from each couple (the lead contestant) will attend every dinner party, while their partner helps them to host their own evening.

If you are interested in taking part please feel free to email us at our general email address: houseguestinthesun@itv.com

Please get in touch ASAP with your name, location and phone number, as we’ll be coming over to the Algarve from 30th Sept 09 to 6th Oct 09 to meet interested couples.

We will then be looking to film a couple of weeks after that.

House prices increased by 1% in December to end the year 1.1% higher than they started it, figures from Halifax showed today.

The lender said significant cuts in interest rates at the start of last year, together with improvements in the jobs market towards the end of the year, had supported demand for housing.

Its index showed the average price of a UK home reached £169,042 in December – more than £14,000 up on April when prices reached a nadir following months of slowing sales – where it was mainly first-time buyers who brought in the home removals company.

Halifax’s housing economist, Martin Ellis, said: “The significant cut in interest rates following the worldwide financial upheaval in the autumn of 2008 has markedly reduced the burden of servicing a mortgage for many households. This has helped to stimulate housing demand, albeit from a low base.

“The recent improvement in the labour market, highlighted by increasing numbers of people in employment in both September and October, has also supported housing demand.

“Overall, our current view is that house prices will be flat during 2010.”