In the wake of the jailing last week of fraudster Simon Regan, the Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards team has issued some helpful advice on spotting and avoiding rogue traders.
Regan, director of Angel Coatings Ltd, was sentenced to three years behind bars and disqualified as a company director for 6 years after he was found guilty of Fraudulent Trading, contrary to the Companies Act 2006.
Regan was in the business of laying resin drives and pathways and charged residents and businesses across three counties many thousands of pounds for work which in many cases was not up to scratch.
Following the prosecution, Trading Standards have put together some guidance to help Island residents find a trader that won’t let them down.
Finding a trader
Always make sure you carry out some research before engaging a trader for home improvement work.
If a trader claims to be a member of a professional body or trade association, check this yourself and ask to see examples of other work they have carried out in the area.
Always obtain more than one quote too. We would also recommend arranging a payment schedule with your trader; you will then know how much you are going to pay throughout the contract and when. Also, make sure you obtain the trader’s full name and address which you’ll need if anything goes wrong and you need to pursue them in court
Trader approval schemes
The Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards team operate their own local scheme: Isle of Wight Trader Approval Scheme.
Traders on the scheme have been rigorously vetted to ensure they meet the terms and conditions, and we expect them to operate within the law.
Legislation
Any consumer to trader contract is protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This is civil legislation and the consumer can seek advice from the Citizens Advice Helpline for any issue around a trader’s contract on 0808 223 1133.
When you agree a contract with a trader, and the contract is for more than £42, you are protected by The Consumer Contract Regulations 2013.
These stipulate the trader has to provide you with certain pre-contract information, such as their details and you will have 14 days to cancel this contract.
What can Trading Standards do?
Trading Standards can no longer provide civil advice so, if you encounter problems with your trader, you should try to sort these out as amicably as possible in the first instance.
If you cannot resolve the issues, then contact the Citizens Advice Helpline where you will be given advice and guidance around what steps you will need to take to resolve the issue.
Doorstep selling
These are rogue traders and target areas where they feel vulnerable residents may live. They will offer to do work for what seems like a reasonable price but will invariably find problems halfway through the job and the price will escalate.
They will rarely be trained or qualified in carrying out the services they offer which means a poor job.
Some tips to stay safe from doorstep traders:
- Never deal with anyone who knocks on your door out of the blue and offers to do work for you.
- Never allow a trader to take you to the bank.
- Use a no cold calling door sticker – available from [email protected].
- If you see somebody knocking doors in your area, please call Trading Standards on 823371 (office hours) or the police on 101 giving as much information as you can.
Councillor Karen Lucioni, Cabinet member for public protection, said:
“If you have elderly family, friends or neighbours, make sure they are aware of this information as it could prevent them from becoming a victim in the future.
“Most contracts will be performed in budget and on time, however, for those that aren’t, this can be a very stressful time for the consumer.
“Take precautions to ensure you don’t fall foul of a trader in your home.”
There are so many rogue companies trading.
I always check out Companies on Trust Pilot or
from recommendations
Totally agree, even if I purchase on line I check suppliers online. I was caught out 4 years ago a job that would have cost £300 cost me treble and didn’t have a leg to stand on as they were rogues from Cornwall. IoW must be seen as an easy picking area, as have even had independants get in touch from Mainland via Check a Trader.
Hahaha the council are the biggest rouge traders around
A baseball bat always comes in handy.
Ofgem are rogue traders along with the energy companies. What about rogue authorities.
I would definitely recommend getting the no cold callers sticker from Island Trading Standards, and never leave your door unlocked especially if it is the front door, even if you are in, but do remember to remove key as if you have a safe lock outside the person won’t be able to use the key with your key in the door on the inside.
And here we are getting fleeced by the isle of wight council, who is looking at them?
Unfortunately I tried a couple of traders from the Isle of Wight Trader Approval Scheme and found that they used the scheme to overcharge. If there is a fast buck to make even the most honest trader will use the system.