News / Doorstep callers
TRADING standards officials are warning islanders to beware doorstep callers offering various services including cleaning, home improvements and repairs.
SIC trading standards manager David Marsh said the service had been contacted by a Shetlander who was particularly concerned by the “high pressure nature of one such trader’s approach, including on the spot offers to discount the originally quoted price”.
“You should never agree to work being done when pressurised with such urgency,” he said. “Take your time before deciding to get any work done.
“If you really want the work done, get it detailed in writing along with the price and name of the person and business you are making a contract with.”
Marsh said householders could “feel intimidated” and agree to getting work, before being faced with demands for cash payment.
“If things go wrong, it can be very difficult to get them sorted out if the trader is no longer in Shetland – and virtually impossible if you’ve no way of contacting them.”
He said the law required door-to-door salespeople to provide a notice detailing cancellation rights including a cooling-off period.
“All too often, though, rogue traders turn up at folk’s homes causing stress, worry and havoc for some of our most vulnerable householders,” Marsh said, “and then disappear without leaving so much as a name or address.”
He advised householders to ask friends and neighbours to recommend reputable tradespeople and get a written quote from more than one before carrying out any expensive home improvements.
Trading standards can provide “no uninvited sales people” packs to Shetland households. These can be collected from Charlotte House, or by phoning (01595) 744887.
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