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The Trading Standards Institute has, for the last two years campaigned for the complete ban on doorstep cold-calling for work to be carried out to properties.
An estimated six million people have had a bad experience with a doorstep seller in the past two years, according to a survey carried out by TSI. Ninety six percent of those quizzed want the practice of such cold calling outlawed.
Cllr Phil Edwards, Cabinet Member (Environment), said: “Herefordshire is not an exception to this trend. Although anyone can be affected by rogue or bogus traders our concern is ultimately for the most vulnerable members of society.
“The calls for help which have been received by Trading Standards have mostly been from the elderly. In some cases consumers parted with thousands of pounds for work which left their property in a worse state than it was initially.”
Powers to tackle traders who act to the detriment of consumers, under the Enterprise Act 2002, are not much help in most doorstep selling cases.
Once these people receive their payment it can be impossible to trace them. Even when action is taken, the monetary and psychological damages inflicted on their victims cannot be rectified.
A worrying development on the doorstep theme is its use by so called reputable companies. A complaint was received recently from a relative of an elderly lady, living on her own, who paid a deposit to a representative of a well known national company in May for the cleaning of her roof.
The price of £2,580 initially quoted came down to £1,500 and the salesman’s persuasive technique made this vulnerable consumer believe she was getting a bargain.
The work has not been carried out and the roof is in pretty good condition. Although there is lichen on it, the amount of moss is negligible and may be easily removed.
Scaffolding is also relatively cheap as the property is a bungalow. By getting three quotes from recommended traders there is no doubt this consumer could have the work carried out at a much more reasonable cost.
This complaint clearly illustrates the point that existing legislation which requires contracts to be cancellable is not enough. The contract itself can be legal, however the degree of pressure applied by unscrupulous salesmen during unsolicited visits is not addressed by present legislation.
Trading Standards Manager Mike Pigrem’s unequivocal message to the residents of Herefordshire is: “Do not allow strangers into your property even if they seem genuine. If you require advice or have any complaints about doorstep selling please contact the Trading Standards Service on our Consumer Advice Line”.
BAN ON DOORSTEP SELLING TO PROTECT CONSUMERS
The Trading Standards Institute has, for the last two years campaigned for the complete ban on doorstep cold-calling for work to be carried out to properties.
An estimated six million people have had a bad experience with a doorstep seller in the past two years, according to a survey carried out by TSI. Ninety six percent of those quizzed want the practice of such cold calling outlawed.
Cllr Phil Edwards, Cabinet Member (Environment), said: “Herefordshire is not an exception to this trend. Although anyone can be affected by rogue or bogus traders our concern is ultimately for the most vulnerable members of society.
“The calls for help which have been received by Trading Standards have mostly been from the elderly. In some cases consumers parted with thousands of pounds for work which left their property in a worse state than it was initially.”
Powers to tackle traders who act to the detriment of consumers, under the Enterprise Act 2002, are not much help in most doorstep selling cases.
Once these people receive their payment it can be impossible to trace them. Even when action is taken, the monetary and psychological damages inflicted on their victims cannot be rectified.
A worrying development on the doorstep theme is its use by so called reputable companies. A complaint was received recently from a relative of an elderly lady, living on her own, who paid a deposit to a representative of a well known national company in May for the cleaning of her roof.
The price of £2,580 initially quoted came down to £1,500 and the salesman’s persuasive technique made this vulnerable consumer believe she was getting a bargain.
The work has not been carried out and the roof is in pretty good condition. Although there is lichen on it, the amount of moss is negligible and may be easily removed.
Scaffolding is also relatively cheap as the property is a bungalow. By getting three quotes from recommended traders there is no doubt this consumer could have the work carried out at a much more reasonable cost.
This complaint clearly illustrates the point that existing legislation which requires contracts to be cancellable is not enough. The contract itself can be legal, however the degree of pressure applied by unscrupulous salesmen during unsolicited visits is not addressed by present legislation.
Trading Standards Manager Mike Pigrem’s unequivocal message to the residents of Herefordshire is: “Do not allow strangers into your property even if they seem genuine. If you require advice or have any complaints about doorstep selling please contact the Trading Standards Service on our Consumer Advice Line”.