2007
Consumer Direct Wales warns consumers to be vigilant when answering the door to uninvited callers.
18 July 2007
Consumer Direct Wales has received 247 calls this year from concerned residents who have been visited by traders calling door-to-door and offering their services. Callers have complained about ‘rogue traders’ trying to pressure sell, charge extortionate prices and carry out substandard repairs to homes and driveways.
Consumer Direct regularly hears of cases where traders quote a price for a job but ask for more money when the work is done, or ask for cash up front before disappearing without finishing the work. This forces the customer to carry out expensive repairs or replacements.
During 2006, more than 500 people called Consumer Direct Wales to complain about unwanted callers offering to sell products or services at the door. The most common types of complaints were generated by tarmacing and paving gangs, traders offering general building work, roofing, double glazing and guttering.
Consumer Direct Wales is offering the following advice to help customers protect themselves from disreputable traders:
• Ask the caller to identify themselves and their company, and make a note of the details.
• Is the trader offering you something you really want or need? If not, tell them you do not buy goods or services at the door unless you are really interested.
• Try to get more than one quote for any work required so that you can compare prices.
• Always get a written quotation from the trader and ask for details of how to cancel. You should be given a seven day “cooling off” period and cancellation rights.
• Never hand over the full payment until the work is completed.
• Remember, only agree to something if you are satisfied that the service or goods offered are entirely acceptable and that you have not been pressured into making a purchase.
Craig Woolcock, Contact Centre Manager at Consumer Direct Wales said:
'People need to be aware of the possible risks when buying from doorstep traders. If you are in any doubt about the caller at your door, just give us a call.'
For clear practical consumer advice call Consumer Direct Wales on 08454 04 05 06. A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05.
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Notes for Editors
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It operates in partnership with local authority Trading Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
2. Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 contact centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
3. The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
4. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
5. Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
6. Northern Ireland has its own service called ConsumerLine which is similar to Consumer Direct. Visit the Consumerline website.
Media enquiries:
Jody Keogh. Tel 029 2087 1088 or email JKeogh@cardiff.gov.uk
