Citizensadvice Arvostelua 

I remember a time when the Citizens Advice Bureau was a fast, efficient public service that helped countless people across the country. I used their services years ago in England and was genuinely impressed by how quickly and effectively they operated.

Unfortunately, my recent experience has been disappointing. There seem to be far fewer staff available, and the wait times are incredibly long. Reaching them by phone is almost impossible, and securing an appointment can take forever. It’s a far cry from the dependable support I once knew.

It’s frustrating to see such a vital service struggling. I hope things improve, as many people rely on Citizens Advice for essential guidance and support.

I am quite saddened to see the low reviews because overall, I personally had a good experience with CA.

I was in email correspondence with CA Consumer Service regarding an issue I had with an accommodation agent and their principal/client.

I found the CA email address and because it is a complicated issue, I wanted written advice so I emailed CA (instead of speaking over the phone).
Understandably CA have lots of queries to look through, but overall Liam and Sarah were brilliant. They took care to read through the details of my concern, understood my concern, and advised me accordingly. The issue was tricky because my bank is now also involved and one party was blaming the other and incorrectly denying liability.

I am confident in progressing this issue, even if it means me having to take legal action against the companies.

Thank you citizens advice.

Speaking to a certain CAB specialist(Steve) , I found them quite rude, always talking down to me and questioning what I said. Constantly talking down to me like I was a peasant. I felt very judged by him and was feeling very happy when the call ended, I really hope I don’t speak to him again was such a awkward moment and the worst customer experience I’ve ever had

Passive aggressive, jumping to conclusions, office seemed empty of clients but still tried to fob me off with the internet and phone service several times, I would give five stars to the helpful volunteer who gave me the info I needed but the passive aggressive experience cancelled that out. One star.

WOW! What a great experience via telephone call to EASTBOURNE Citizens Advice Bureau! I had occasion to contact CAB this morning and dealt with Neil, who described himself as a "gateway" advisor. Thank you, Neil, for your professional demeanor and comprehensive understanding.
Best thing I have done since arriving in Eastbourne from South Africa! I look forward to receiving further assistance offered.

It’s diabolical that the citizens advice bureau is no longer fit for purpose. It’s clearly run by uneducated and unempathetic call handlers with no knowledge of the Law. Good old fashioned citizenship is sadly lacking in this country as endorsed by this bogus organisation. I have just called to gain information about my rights as a consumer following the refusal by B&M stores to refund an unwanted and unopened food item. The call handler I spoke to had no knowledge about Consumer Law simply stating that the company are within their rights to refuse refunds for any food item. This organisation seems to represent the fact that this country has gone to the dogs.

Would leave zero stars if I could. Citizens Advice were more than professionally negligent, they were grossly negligent, and sabotaged my case. The interesting things is, they wrong doings are so blatant, so they must be used to getting away with a lot of these behaviours. I'm currently working on being a litigant in person and I will be sending them a letter before action pretty soon.

Totally Useless.
Tried to contact Trading Standards related to a dispute related to the way an exterior door was inadequately installed only to get Citizens Advice who basically told me i could not refer my issue to Trending Standards and gave me a reference number followed by an email advising me how to make a complaint, like I am stupid and don not how to complain. So Googled Trading Standards to find out their contact details, entered my post code to get my local office, made the phone call and guess what. I get connected to Citizens Advice who I did not want to speak to. Citizens advice and Trading Standards jus another couple of QANGOS plonked there to create the impression consumers can expect appropriate protection which in reality is not the case. Latest news is from Citizens advise I must wait and see if Trading Standards will be taking any action and they can email me the advice on how to complain which of course they have already sent.

Used the option "Goods and Services." 20 minute wait, described the issue regarding Royal Mail incompetence and abdication of responsibility. Put on hold and found myself at the end of another long wait for Consumer Help. Why?

Absolutely rubbish. The person I had was rude and dismissive. She didn't know anything about UC Regulations and waffled on about nonsense. She caused me more stress than actually preparing for my Tribunal itself. They shouldn't be giving advice to people if they don't know anything and just guessing. It's disgusting 🫣

What a waste of time my as well turn to crime they have more rights nowadays

I had to ask citizens advice for help and I'm so glad I did a lovely ladie called marion couldn't do enough for me and resolved my problem with british gas and helped me with other things I hadn't even asked for and didn't know I was entitled to thank you so much

more intersected why have i sent money to my mate for pints £8 at spoons and why I've got a second hand phone for £140 than anything about my credit cards and dvla fines. have to find out myself i guess

Utterly hopeless. Im in guildford. No service. Last year went to offices after no callback. Closed only emergencies by appointment. No way to get an appointment (for a rental dispute landlord S21 notice).
Today Repeated calls, hours trying to get thru. Calls ended no help available. Got Raylyn? He dropped call and went to lunch/no callback. Got a survey of course.
Just spoke to mary in some place, said she could not talk to me as not in her area. No funding. bye
So basically no help. No interest. Local office closed and no appointment. Dire.
Thx for nothing other than raised blood pressure…
Update:
Try again: I spoke with an able body (Becky). She listened to the issue. Checked with another source and gave me the options CAB offer. Limited but she was kind and helpful. Well done Becky!

However, it's potluck for a service 90% paid for by taxpayer: 1. The auto caller router has to connect (not cancel call) 2. Who answers (not anyone in GUILDFORD!) 3. Do you get someone who is at least interested... 4. Who will call you back if the call drops (OFTEN!).
go somewhere else if you can - or pour a stiff drink and settle down...
End

Really difficult to get to speak to someone and when I eventually did they said they would pass on my query etc and I heard nothing more at all
This was a few months back
Really disappointing service

Gave clear consise advice on my rights regarding an issue with a faulty product that the retailer was refusing to repair/replace under warranty.
Advised to claim under the consumer rights act, given an example of what to say and how to respond to them.
In reponse to this the retailer has replaced the item. Very happy with the service as it has given me the correct advice and led to my issue being resolved after a few weeks of banging my head against a wall trying to get the retailer to do the right thing

went to citizen advice was told there was a 12 week waiting list the place was empty the lady at the reception was very rude

My case handler, Avrille, from Plymouth was unpleasant from the start. I think the conversation went off track when she asked about my "gender identity," to which I made my stance clear. Yet, for some reason, she insisted I had to answer and even asked if I was transgender. She already knew my circumstances, as I had spoken to her colleague a few days before when I was prepared with my answers, but she insisted on going through everything again. This time however I wasn’t prepared, and the information I gave was incomplete and inaccurate. At one point, she claimed I might have misunderstood what EDF told me—which I didn’t—and then told me I should use an interpreter when speaking to someone about official matters. Yet, she was happy with my English and carried on with the call anyway. Throughout the conversation, she ignored parts of my responses by interrupting me, making them seem irrelevant. When I pointed this out, she snapped that she "didn’t have time" for them. After the call, she sent a letter starting with just "afternoon", a perfect example of her lack of basic manners.

This happens when a good cause is given to the wrong hands to handle. Absolutely nasty experience.

Yet ANOTHER useless service offered to the public. Seems you can't speak to someone at Trading standards. You have to ring this utterly useless service. Remember, do NOT listen to the hype about consumer protection. I guarantee that unless you've bought a faulty kettle from a supermarket. There is absolutely nothing you can do when large businesses screw you over. The CAB have no teeth, give useless advice and generally waste your time.

Spent 8 hours seeking advice both by phone or email to describe my traumatic depressing problem. Failed after 7 hours of website searching and 1 hour waiting for someone to answer my call. Forced to listen to happy-go-lucky whistling tune that only enhanced my depressive state. Citizens Advice - there is no advice and clearly unfit for purpose. My call was not answered, no email address available, no online chat. Total waste of time. So depressing.