Welsh Icons News | Freeze out rogue traders

Bridgend County Borough Council is urging residents to beware of rogue traders who may try to take advantage of damage caused by the adverse weather conditions.

During bad weather rogue traders have been known to target often vulnerable members of the community charging them large sums of money for small or sub-standard jobs.

Deputy Leader Councillor David Sage said: “These traders are cold calling, offering no cancellation rights and can charge exorbitant rates for shoddy work. When things start to go wrong with the work done, as they invariably do, customers find that they have been given false addresses and telephone numbers that no longer exist.

“Some will pose as officials from various organisations to add credibility, the most popular being council workers. Others will tell householders that they have materials left over from another job so can be done cheaply, that they have a special offer which is only valid if a householder decides straight away or that they’ve noticed a roof or tree is in need of urgent work and if it’s not fixed straight away it will cause major problems.

“Not only do these traders ‘rip-off’ consumers but can also be a front for other types of crime. So Bridgend County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team, along with South Wales Police urge residents to say no to doorstep traders.”

Councillor Sage added: “These traders typically prey on the older or more vulnerable groups in society but anyone can fall victim to this type of rogue trader, especially following the severe weather conditions such as those we’ve experienced in recent weeks. Ask the relevant questions and keep other members of your family or friends informed of the work, costs and trader details, if you are at all unsure.

Residents can make some simple checks when having home or garden improvements done to minimise the risk of falling foul of the doorstep rogues:

Dos:

DO fix a security chain to your door, and make sure you use it every time someone calls. If in doubt, just say “No thank you” and close the door;
DO find out the name and address of the seller’s company.
DO ask yourself: Do I want or need this? Can I afford it? Can I get it cheaper elsewhere? Do I know and trust the seller?
DO ask the seller what will happen if you change your mind. In most cases, you will have a seven day “cooling off” period during which you can cancel the contract
– ask for more time if you’re not sure; a reputable seller will understand.
DO pay by credit card for goods or services costing more than £100. The credit card company will give you some protection.
DO get a receipt with the name, address and phone number of the company on it.
DO check any ID out. If the trader purports to be from the council, ring to double check before they start work. If they claim to be members of a trade association, check with the trade association first to check that it’s not a false claim.
DO get a number of quotes from other traders who are known to you – recommendations from friends or family are a good start. If you get three or four quotes, you have a good idea of whether the price charged is reasonable.
DO make sure you are given a written itemised contract. This will make it much easier to prove what was agreed and will make it harder for them to increase the price halfway through the work.

Don’ts: