The markets which were relatively highly rated tended to be at the more ‘fun’ or pleasure end of the market spectrum.
Markets such as CDs, videos, DVDs or video games, Clothing or footwear, Books, newspapers or magazines, TVs, DVD or MP3 players, Jewellery, silverware, clocks or watches and Garden equipment or plants all achieved a relatively high overall
Included among the higher rated group is Car or vehicle insurance, a market which achieved consistently higher scores than other markets associated with financial products.
At the other end of the spectrum are some of the ‘pain’ markets, such as the types of markets which are engaged ‘when things go wrong’, or are more complex or have been affected by recent economic factors (or have experienced negative publicity in recent months).
Overall, the most poorly rated markets were: Gas and electricity, Private pension plans, Home maintenance services, Petrol, diesel or oil, Private sector renting, and Estate agents and house purchasing services.
Also among those markets which consumers rated relatively poorly were Fixed line telephone services, Mortgages, Internet service providers, TV service providers, Vehicle repairs or servicing and Professional services.
Mobile phone network services, Hire purchase, loans or credit, Betting, gambling, competitions, prize draws or lotteries and Personal banking were close behind.
Commenting , NAEA chief executive Peter Bolton King said: "The BERR survey merely confirms what the National Association of Estate Agents has been saying for years - that a system to prove minimum competency standards should be introduced in an industry which up until now has been essentially uncontrolled.
"NAEA members sign up to our Rules of Conduct - but there is nothing to stop any Tom, Dick or Harry setting up shop on the High Street and handling the hard earned cash of Britain's families. This applies not only to the housing market, but also the private rented sector.
"Enough is enough. Now is the time for the Government to show that they are listening and to create a system that can protect responsible and trustworthy estate agents and rid the profession of cowboys."
