Worcestershire's Regulatory Service warn residents
after aggressive doorstep salesman reports
Worcestershire's Regulatory Service is warning
residents to be on their guard after taking calls from residents
reporting uninvited doorstep callers offering household repair
work.
Over the last few weeks Trading Standards officers, who from June 1
were combined into a single Regulatory Service, have been contacted
by several people in the Wychavon area about callers looking to
sell roofing and electrical work. They do not provide any required
cancellation rights and sometimes request cash on the spot. There
are also reports that people are being subjected to aggressive
tactics when payments are due.
The team is reminding residents that a cancellation notice should
always be provided by traders when a contract is agreed in a
consumers home. This should specify that there is a seven-day
cooling off period and state how the contract can be cancelled. If
this isn't provided then the trader is committing an offence and
the contract cannot be legally enforced against the
householder.
Officers are urging anyone thinking of having work done on their
properties to log on to the Trader Register, which contains a list
of reputable local traders offering a variety of services. All
those included on the list have signed up to a strict code of
practice, been vetted by Trading Standards and have made a
commitment to good customer service.
To access the online database simply visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/traderregister
or call the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765394. The register is
free to join for traders and more information is available via the
same contacts.
Steve Jorden, Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services,
said: "Unfortunately this type of thing isn't uncommon but
the message for people stays the same - always be vigilant when it
comes to doorstep callers.
"Our advice to anyone looking for work is to log on to the Trader
Register and try to get at least three quotes from a local,
reputable trader."
If anyone has been approached by doorstep
callers or have concerns about their rights they can contact
consumer direct on 08454 040506.