Published on:
09
November 2012
In a push to protect the vulnerable, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Council's Trading Standards Service is joining forces with the Office of Fair Trading's Doorstep Selling campaign.
The campaign aims to empower local residents to deal with unwanted doorstep sellers, including those who are invited into the home after a cold call sales approach, and specifically traders offering mobility aids and home insulation products and services.
Research conducted on behalf of the Office of Fair Trading highlights the elderly as being at risk of doorstep selling scams; they are also likely to be susceptible to mobility aid traders and targeted by home insulation sellers. One in five people over the age of 70 who were interviewed admitted to not being confident in deciding whether to employ a tradesperson and a fifth of those questioned couldn't see through pressure sales tactics such as having to pay cash in advance or having to make a quick decision to get a good deal.
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Enterprise and Environment Convener, said: "Not all doorstep sellers are bogus, however unlawful traders can be unscrupulous. A salesperson can often be charismatic as well as assertive and it can be easy to fall for their charm or force of will. This is an approach often used by rogue traders, to convince vulnerable people to buy a health aid or home improvement product they may not need, or agree to terms they haven't fully checked out.
"I'm urging everyone who knows or cares for a vulnerable or elderly person to make sure they are aware of their rights when it comes to door step approaches and carefully research salespeople before inviting them into their home. No one should feel pressured into making a buying decision. Always think twice and get a second opinion. One option is to contact one of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council's Trading Standards Approved Buy With Confidence traders - they never use cold calling and have been audited by Trading Standards to ensure that they meet the high standards of the scheme."
The Office of Fair Trading has published 10 tips on how to deal with doorstep sellers which are available on our website at www.clacksweb.org.uk/community/toptentipsdoorstep/
Remember it's your doorstep and your decision. If you feel pressured for any reason ask the person to leave.
Contact Trading Standards on 0845 277 7000 or email tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk
The Office of Fair Trading's campaign about rogue doorstep traders is a Government initiative to encourage its target audience of vulnerable consumers to be aware of their legal rights and the risks of rogue doorstep traders.