OPINION: How to protect yourself from rogue traders on the doorstep

There is an old saying of “If it sounds too good to be true it probably is”, and nowhere does that apply more than when someone turns up on your doorstep offering a bargain.

Rogue traders are nothing new, but they remain a nuisance and even a threat, particularly to the more vulnerable members of our community.

Across Suffolk there have been incidents only recently of residents and businesses being targeted by individuals who sound very plausible and offer a real deal but have ended up ripping them off.

Thankfully, the Suffolk Trading Standards team is working hard to thwart these people at every turn, and one of the ways they say this can be done is via the Trusted Traders scheme.

Suffolk Trusted Trader is a business partnership scheme where participants have completed a full vetting process and agree to trade fairly under a Code of Practice.

It works for both customer and trader.

Traders must have a minimum of six months clean trading history and go through strict vetting procedures to join up, so anyone hiring them can be assured that they meet very high standards.

The traders benefit because they get support from the council and can use the official Trusted Trader logo on marketing materials and company vehicles, giving potential customers the assurance that they are reputable and dependable.

It costs companies just £252 including VAT a year for membership of the scheme, which is refundable if applicants fail to meet vetting requirements.

Although doorstep calling is not illegal, the law states that a trader who ignores a resident's request to leave and not return is committing a criminal offence.

You can show you do not want to receive visits from cold calling doorstep traders by displaying our sticker.

Remember, doorstep traders are often trained in sales techniques and can be very persuasive, so be very wary of signing anything as you may give up your rights to cancel.

Trading Standards issue this advice on how to deal with doorstep sellers and I would urge you to take it to heart:

1. Never sign or agree to anything on the spot.
2. Check the trader’s identity. Always ask for an identity card and look up the organisation to check the salesperson’s identity is genuine.
3. Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home.
4. Always shop around for the best price.
5. Read the small print. Always read documents carefully before you sign them and make sure you fully understand your rights.
6. Double check the facts. Make sure you fully understand the total costs of the transaction – including estimates, delivery and installation and the arrangements for after-sales servicing.
7. Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion.
8. Do not hand over a cash deposit. Avoid handing over money before work is started. A reliable trader will never ask you to do this.
9. Think very carefully before you agree to a trader starting any work straight away. If you agree to have any work done or goods delivered within a 14 day cooling-off period, you may have to pay if you later change your mind and cancel the contract.
10. Trust your instincts. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The advice is to always say "No thank you - please leave" and then immediately close the door.

If the trader will not go away, tell them that you will call Suffolk Trading Standards, and if you feel under threat or in danger then contact the police.

Anyone contacted by traders on the doorstep should report them to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133.

To become a Suffolk Trusted Trader fill in an online application form at https://trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/signup

To obtain ‘no doorstep traders’ stickers email your postal address to tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk