This covers transparent quoting and carrying out work, only charging a fair and reasonable price, and dealing with complaints promptly.
The advice comes following recent incidents involving residents and businesses across the county where rogue traders have ripped them off.
- In Lowestoft an elderly woman was approached at the door by men who offered to clean her gutters for £15. She agreed but the traders then claimed the roof was leaking and tiles had moved and charged her £1,250. They insisted on cash and advised her to visit multiple cash points to be able to withdraw a greater sum of money. It was only when the woman’s daughter learned what had happened that she was able to intervene and the traders returned £750.
- A gang offering to patch up potholes in business car parks is known to have claimed at least two victims. One company boss near Bury St Edmunds who agreed to the work found the traders tarmacking the whole car park. When approached, the trader became aggressive, threatened the boss and demanded £10,000 in cash. Fearful of the threats the businessman agreed to pay £6,500 in cash. Another business, a pub near Sudbury, was told they had been sent by the brewery and the landlord agreed to them starting work, but they also started tarmacking the whole car park. When challenged the traders became aggressive, demanding £1,600 in cash. The landlord refused to pay but has since received intimidating telephone calls, with threats to return to dig up the car park.
- In Newmarket residents were approached at the door by an individual leafleting for a roofing company. At one property the trader advised it would cost £280 to clean and seal the driveway, but then dropped the price to £180 when the resident declined. At another property, the trader advised that it would cost £250, but then dropped the price to £150.
Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said:
“We strongly advise householders and companies to use Trusted Trader.
“It is a scheme that is all about giving consumers confidence in the work that is being done and in the businesses carrying it out.
“Invariably rogue traders are just out to make a quick buck at the expense of their customers and, sadly, we have seen cases where they become aggressive when confronted. Please report them to us.”
Councillor Craig Rivett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, said:
“Traders must go through a strict procedure to join this scheme, so householders can be assured that the people they are hiring meet high standards.
“I would encourage people to use the scheme and for businesses to apply to join it.
“Members not only get support from the Council but are also able to highlight their involvement though using the official logo on their marketing materials, giving potential customers the assurance that they are reputable and dependable.”
It costs companies £252 including VAT a year for membership of the scheme, which is refundable if applicants fail to meet vetting requirements.
To become a Suffolk Trusted Trader businesses must have a minimum of six months clean trading history, then fill in an online application form at https://trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/signup
Anyone contacted by traders on the doorstep should report them to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133.
