Published on:
08
March 2012
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils' Joint Trading Standards Service want all reputable trades people and businesses to join the area's first 'Buy With Confidence scheme'.
Buy With Confidence is a national Trading Standards approved trader scheme which provides consumers with a list of reputable local businesses, vetted by Trading Standards Officers for trustworthiness and who comply with consumer protection laws. Only if they pass all the stringent checks can businesses display the 'Buy With Confidence' logo.
Approved businesses will be monitored by Trading Standards to ensure their standards remain high and customers will be invited to give feedback. The scheme will not attract a membership fee for local traders until at least April 2014
Stirling Council Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Environment Councillor Jim Thomson said: "This is a great scheme for both consumer and trader. It reassures the consumer that they are dealing with a reliable, reputable business and it gives the trader support and helps to promote their business across the local area. I'm confident that all reputable traders will sign-up to the scheme to help stop the misery and distress cowboy traders and scamsters cause."
Councillor Eddie Carrick, Clackmannanshire Council's Sustainability Portfolio Holder, said: "Scheme membership is not given lightly - amongst other checks, each applicant will have their complaints history reviewed and will receive a visit from Trading Standards. Good references are required from previous customers and applicants must agree to abide by the scheme's code of conduct, which requires them to follow the letter and spirit of the law. Criminal records disclosure may also be required in some circumstances."
For years Trading Standards Services have been unable to tell the public who to avoid, and who they should go to when buying goods or services. For this reason, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading
Standards wants local traders to sign-up to the 'Buy With Confidence -Trading Standards Approved' as their good trader scheme.
Trading Standards Officer Brian Wilson who is rolling out the scheme locally said: "Rogue itinerant traders are responsible for a lot of problems, and tend to target the most vulnerable members of society. The first step is to sign-up reputable traders to the scheme and then later this year we will be in a position to provide local residents with details of approved traders who are able to do any work needed professionally."
Traders can apply for membership or receive further information by visitingwww.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or calling the local Trading Standards Service on 01786 442931 or email bwc@stirling.gov.uk and Brian or one of his colleagues will assist.