"The downside is that companies can claim they have never been found to be in breach of the rules"

That was the case with a return (Distance Selling) that I did (a laptop) it took a report to Trading Standards/ Local Council dept who contacted them on my behalf to point out the error of their ways and they were then 'persuaded' to change their ways and the wording of their Website or risk being prosecuted for breach of DSR (via my complaint). In my case it was one of the Big Retailers who also have a chain of stores nationwide. I believe customers no longer get stone-walled with DSR returns now.

Transferred to Tech Consumer Advice from Speakers Corner.

Bought a 19 inch Philips Wide Screen monitor from Cash converters, When I bought it he plugged it into a PC turned it on but I was in a Disabled Scooter so was a lot lower down than the top shelf that it was on, he had to turn brightness and contrast up to get it to look something like, gets my till receipt goes home two months warranty or repair stamped on the till receipt. was not able to check it out until two days , when I did I could tell the the back light top tube was on its way out as I could not adjust it correctly for picture or text on Web pages. So I took it back he did not want to do nothing about it and said there was nothing wrong with it, so I stuck out my guns and told him what was wrong with it and wanted a refund. Well that was just like trying to get money back off anti-Wainwright on Last of the summer wine. I finely gave him the this is a shop selling to the public and what was stamped on the till receipt did not count, and that he was responsible, so I quoted Customer Rights. I soon got my Money back, as I said well if that's the way you want to go. Surprising what the correct words can do in that situation

FE. Are you not being a bit pedantic. Consumer Rights are exploited in shops also.