Recently Leicestershire Police ran an operation around rogue traders and helping our communities reduce the risk of being caught out by those who aim to con you out of your hard earned cash. Not all people that go door to door are trying to be deceitful, however there are some who have the sole purpose of being dishonest.
Rogue traders tend to call on unsuspecting households offering to complete work at the property. They will often use high pressure sales or bullying tactics to pressure you in to buying services or goods that you neither want or need. The price for the work quoted will often cost a lot more than a reputable company would charge, and tends to become more expensive as the job progresses when unforeseen problems arise that weren’t initially accounted for. In return customers often receive a less than satisfactory standard of work, which is sometimes left unfinished or does not meet the required safety standards.
The usual type of work offered will be garden clearance, tree felling, roofing work or tarmac drives.
The Action Fraud website offers this simple advice:
• Don’t sign for anything on the spot. If you are interested then ask for them to come back at a time that someone else can be with you to offer their thoughts on the work offered
• Always check the trader’s identity. Never use a number on a card that they may supply and check if they are a member of a reputable trading body
• Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home. Don’t get taken in by high pressure sales techniques, and don’t be hurried into any decisions even if discount is offered
• Always shop around for the best price – check with other registered companies offering the same service first, making sure that the price and product is correct for you
• Read the small print – always read documents carefully before you sign them to ensure you know your rights as a customer
• Double check the facts to make sure you fully understand the total costs of the transaction
• Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion
• Don’t hand over cash as a deposit as a reliable tradesperson would never ask for this, and never agree to go with a trader to a cash machine
• Trust your instincts – if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is!
It’s OK to say NO!
The final note that you should always remember is that it’s your doorstep and your decision. If you feel that you are being pressured to make a decision you are unsure about then ask the person to leave.