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Barber shop proves it's a cut above the rest picking up coveted British retailers award

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230... Read more…

Independent retailers face Fresh challenges as UK inflation climbs to 3.8%

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month... Read more…

Bike industry continues to face challenges as profits and forecasts falter at Giant, Canyon and Shim

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.
Read more…

ACT to join industry leaders at brand new cycling trade event this September

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases... Read more…

Independent retail crisis deepens as nearly half see sales plummet compared to last year

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared... Read more…

Independent retailers slam £5.9bn "de minimis" import loophole as Government delays action

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports... Read more…

Criminals undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards collapse

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.
Read more…

ACT welcomes Government's new product safety laws

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product... Read more…

Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on... Read more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.
Read more…

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Retail Finance Retailer Awareness Handbook: A quick guide to your duties to the customer

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

The Association of Cycle Trader's retail finance partner V12 have created a document that outlines a third party finance provider's (TPFP) duty to the customer.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have a duty to protect consumers. In doing this, they pay very close attention to industry standards and the role lenders and retailers play in making it a safe, informed space for consumers to shop using credit.

It is important that retailers read the document and familiarise themselves with industry standards.

Download the V12 Retailer Awareness Handbook now

 

The document contains information on the following areas:

  • Oversight & accountability; To ensure that they provide the best service and have the best retail partners, it's vital that V12 have a clear understanding of your business and its framework.
  • Competency of staff; Providing a compliant finance service means all retailer staff who deal with our product must be fully informed of their responsibilities.
  • Section 75; Section 75 states both the lender and retailer are jointly liable for any breach of contract or misrepresentation.
  • Complaints; When customers make a finance related complaint, both V12 and its retailers have a responsibility to take appropriate measures to handle the issue.
  • Affordability; Understanding the amount or having a reasonable estimate of a customer’s current income (and non-discretionary income) is essential to determining if they can afford to make repayments.
  • Fees; The FCA has found that, in some cases, consumers were unaware of the early settlement fee they would be charged on regulated Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products.
  • Exempt Products; While some of your products are exempt from FCA regulation, they still remain subject to the unfair contract terms provisions of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
  • Vulnerable Customers; Protecting vulnerable customers is a key priority for the FCA, and for V12 and its retailers. Being able to identify possible vulnerability should be at the forefront of each application. 

 

The document also contains useful inks, such as information on the V12 system, information on the fair treatment of customers and a V12 training video.

Download the V12 Retailer Awareness Handbook now 

 

Train your staff effectively

IRFTTo train your staff to the standards expected by the FCA, the ACT recommend the Retail Finance Training course.

Retail Finance Training, brought to you by Indie Retail Training, is an online learning course delivering an informed insight into Retail finance that can be completed anywhere, in your own time.
 
The course will teach you how to legally promote and use retail finance in-store, online and in all other forms of media.

The course retails for just £150 including VAT. However, members of the ACT and ActSmart receive up to a 50% saving off the RRP, meaning that you can access the course from just £75 including VAT.
 
 
Membership level Gold Silver Standard
Standard Price
(Excluding VAT)
£62.50 £83.33 £125

Standard Price
(Including VAT)

£75.00 £100 £150

Try a free demo version now or get started with the full course by clicking below.
 
 
 

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