Which Trader?

At Trading Standards we are often asked to recommend a good, honest and reliable tradesman. Unfortunately we are unable to do this – but we can offer advice on choosing a trader and run Buy With Confidence, an approved trader scheme.

For further information about Buy With Confidence, please see the BWC pages of the Trading Standards website or follow the link to the left of this page.

Here are some tips on how to try and avoid falling victim to rogue trader and help you choose the right one.
• Be wary of traders who cold call and the deals they offer you – it is unusual for genuine tradesmen to need to cold call to drum up business.
• If they claim work needs doing, get a second, or even third, opinion from other professional tradesmen.
• Obtain a number of quotes in writing and detailing the work to be undertaken – genuine traders will be happy to do this.
• Remember that estimates are educated guesses and may change – quotes are fixed prices.
• If you agree to work following an unsolicited visit (or a solicited one from October 2008) you are afforded cancellation rights by law and these should be provided in writing.
• Do not pay in full upfront – if they are a rogue you may never see them again.
• Ensure you have the correct company and/or owner’s name and postal address – this will not guarantee the work is done satisfactorily but may enable you to take further action if things do go wrong.
• If goods/services cost £100 or more, try and pay some or all of it on a credit card as this may afford you additional protection.
• Remember – you will have statutory rights under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 for any work you have done.

For further advice contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or via www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.