Plumbers, builders and electricians are among those being urged to follow in the footsteps of businesses who have already joined the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme.
The initiative, launched recently by the Council and local partners, aims to:
- Increase consumer confidence
- Promote good practice within local businesses
- Protect residents from doorstep crime
- Help generate custom for local companies.
The Council’s Trading Standards team is responsible for overseeing the scheme – vetting traders, regularly examining business practices, and monitoring reviews and feedback.
The initiative, which is supported by Police Scotland, was launched in Dundee in 2005 and East Dunbartonshire Council is one of the latest local authorities to sign up. It is centred around a Code of Practice, with a requirement to trade fairly
Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of the Council's Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said,
I'm pleased that a range of local businesses have joined the Trusted Trader scheme in East Dunbartonshire.
Members not only get support from the Council, but are able to highlight their involvement via marketing materials and vehicles – giving potential customers the assurance that they are reputable and reliable. If you're a local trader, find out more about how you can get involved."
There is a yearly fee of £240 to cover the cost of administrating the scheme – including maintenance of the online database and feedback system, and ongoing advertising and promotion. Find out more by visiting the Trusted Trader webpage and the Trusted Trader webpage
Community Police Inspector Alan Ferris, of Kirkintilloch Police Station, said, "Rogue traders and bogus callers can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate service providers. They can persuade householders to part with large sums of money by starting out cheaper than competitors and then falsely claiming urgent, more expensive work is needed. This often requires a reputable trader to come in and repair badly done or incomplete work.
"I hope the Trusted Trader initiative provides householders across East Dunbartonshire with increased confidence that they are engaging the services of legitimate traders. I would always encourage residents to take simple steps to prevent themselves being defrauded by doorstep criminals."
- Never allow anyone you are not expecting into your home
- Never agree to pay up front for work yet to be carried out
- Don't feel pressured into making decisions quickly – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, allowing research of their business
- If you ever feel threatened or pressurised, contact Police Scotland on 101 or Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510.
For the latest advice and support for consumers and businesses, visit the Trading Standards webpages.
For more information on avoiding doorstep crime and bogus callers, visit the Police Scotland website.
