Warning about rogue traders
7 April 2009
With the arrival of the spring weather and the Bank Holiday
weekend approaching, many residents will turn their attention to
carrying out work on their property, including gardening, tree
pruning/surgery, patio work, cleaning driveways, guttering and
roofing repairs.
Officers from the Environmental Health and Consumer Protection
Service are advising residents to apply caution if they are
considering paying for work to be done, particularly through
doorstep sellers, or rogue traders.
To avoid rogue traders, the advice from Knowsley Council
is:
- Get at least three written quotes for any work you are
considering getting done.
- Get the name and address of the trader and make sure you have a
landline number for them. Many rogue traders use either false or
accommodation addresses and mobile phone numbers.
- Don’t be pressurised into buying at the door. Reputable firms
will return at a later date if requested.
- Don’t be afraid to say no - it will not cause offence to
reputable traders
- If you are elderly or vulnerable, use the Trader Approved
Scheme Knowsley (T.A.S.K) which can be contacted on 0151 546
6680.
Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate
and Customer Services, said: “With the warmer weather approaching,
door to door traders tend to increase. Residents should always be
on their guard with door to door traders and follow the advice
given by trading standards officers before they enter into any
arrangements, and definitely before they part with any money.”
“If you have any concerns about doorstep crime or if you have
already encountered problems you should contact Consumer Direct on
08454 040506.”