Press releases
19 June 2006
Think twice before agreeing to buy at the door – or risk getting ripped-off, advises Consumer Direct.
Doorstep Do's and Don'ts
In the week that the Trading Standards Institute announces a further £50,000 cash injection from private industry to help set up more 'no cold calling' zones, Consumer Direct East of England (0845 4040506), is getting together with its partners in Trading Standards departments across the region to warn consumers about the pitfalls they face when buying goods and services from cold callers.
'This is a problem area, whether it’s rogue traders offering shoddy home improvements, utility salespeople who are 'economical with the truth', or fast-talking cold-callers who persuade people to buy £1,000 vacuum cleaners' says Mike Hill from Consumer Direct East of England. 'In all there have been over 2,500 complaints about doorstep selling in the last year in our region.'
And all too often it’s the elderly and vulnerable who are targeted - in a place they should be able to feel safe - their own homes.
The most shocking cases concern elderly householders who have paid thousands of pounds, often over several months and several visits, to bogus property repairmen who are only too willing to escort their customers to the bank once they've completed the job. And in some cases, Trading Standards investigations have found that the job didn’t need doing in the first place.
There's also evidence that some bogus property repair problems can be linked to distraction burglaries and other types of crime, so Consumer Direct forms the first link in a chain of consumer protection, along with its partners in Trading Standards, the Police, Citizens advice bureaux and victim support agencies, working to find ways of tackling this problem.
No cold calling zones have been set up in some areas by Trading Standards departments, in conjunction with the Police and Neighbourhood Watch schemes, which discourage all cold calling at the door. Contact Consumer Direct for more information on these zones.
'Our advisors are trained to give clear, practical advice to consumers who have problems with doorstep traders' says Mike Hill. 'If necessary they can signpost to relevant watchdogs such as Energywatch and can recognise where vulnerable consumers need the extra help and assistance that their colleagues in Trading Standards can offer'.
Consumer Direct and Trading Standards have teamed up to offer the following advice to consumers about buying on the doorstep.
- Don't be pressured into buying at the door unless it's a regular trader you know and trust. Reputable firms don't have to go out touting for business. Nor do they try and sell 'leftover' materials.
- Sign up with the Telephone Preference Service (0845 070 0707 or www.tpsonline.org ) to cut down on the number of telephone sales calls you receive as these can often lead to unsolicited visits.
- Don’t be afraid to say No - it doesn't have to be personal, just have a policy of never buying anything at the door.
- You have a 7 day cooling off period if you agree to buy goods and services at your door following an uninvited visit by a salesperson and, if the firm fails to give you notice of this in writing, you may not have to pay as the contract may be unenforceable.
- Think about what comeback you'll have if something goes wrong - always ask for an address and check out the contact number. Many rogue traders use either false or accommodation addresses and a mobile phone number may not be helpful on its own if something goes wrong.
- Always get a quote in writing before agreeing to have work done, preferably comparing quotes from two or three firms.
- Don’t be suckered by the promise of discounts - no deal is so good it will never be repeated.
- Check out reputable firms by choosing ones that are members of a Trade Association that’s signed up to the government-backed Trustmark scheme (www.trustmark.org.uk).
- Genuine callers, like meter readers from the utility companies, will always show an ID card.
- Finally, don't forget to look out for elderly neighbours and relatives who are often targeted by cold callers, and make sure that they are aware of Consumer Direct’s advice.
If you've been caught out, then advice is always on hand from Consumer Direct. Their advisors are available on 08454 040506 to give clear, practical advice about this and many other consumer problems.
