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July is Rogue Trader Awareness Month

14/07/2010

home >> News Archive >> July is Rogue Trader Awareness Month

As the sun comes out, so do the rogue traders.

In Rogue Trader Awareness Month, Age Concern Coventry is alerting householders to some of the ways cold callers may use to deceive them. Sadly, rogue traders use all kinds of ways to get householders to pay often high prices for poor workmanship or in some cases no work at all.

Typically, rogue traders will try to find common ground with a householder and use deceptive and misleading claims. Some may falsely claim to be endorsed by a trade association or a local council. Victims may also be made to feel that there is a great sense of urgency in the offer, and if they don't sign up, they'll miss out.

Your Doorstep, Your Decision

To help you stay in control of your decision when confronted on your doorstep and have the confidence to say no, you may find this advice of use:

Remember it’s your doorstep, your decision

Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home

Don’t hand over a cash deposit

Don’t agree to a trader starting any work straight away

Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion, speak to friends, family, neighbours, your local Age UK group may also be able to provide lists of companies and tradespeople to help you before making any decision

Whether its tarmacing your driveway, gardening, roofing or other building work, rogue traders find things that ‘needs doing’ and will often come back again and again.

Rogue traders

Some cold callers will offer to do roofing‚ building or driveway resurfacing. Some will vastly overcharge for unnecessary‚ shoddy or non-existent work. Never accept an offer to drive you to withdraw money. There have been instances where older people have been driven to their bank or building society to withdraw money to pay the cold caller’s charges. Do not accept an offer to be driven from anyone you do not know or do not trust. If you are pressurised to hand over money‚ keep your door closed‚ and dial 999 and ask for the police.

New consumer protection regulations which came into force in October 2008 require all doorstep traders to provide consumers with a seven day cooling-off period in writing, provided the price is more than £35. Consumers who request work to start before the cooling off period ends still have the right to cancel, but may be liable to pay reasonable costs for any work done.

Need some work doing?

Our 'First Checkpoint' service protects people aged 50+ from rogue traders by supporting them in selecting reliable trades people who can carry out work within their home. All of them have been reference-checked and interviewed by Age Concern Coventry staff. To make contact either click on the First Checkpoint link above or telephone 024 76433982.

If you have been a victim of a rogue trader, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.