Press Release
11th September 2012
Say No! to uninvited sales people
Even this late in the season, people can still arrive at your doorstep with promises of doing outdoor home improvements. These could apply to buildings, paths, driveways and roofs – all of which you may neither need nor want. If this happens to you, tell Trading Standards.
Doorstep callers often promise a great deal, but the work is rarely carried out to the homeowner’s satisfaction.
A lot of doorstep callers’ sales tactics are illegal. The law requires door-to-door sales people to give you a notice detailing your cancellation rights, the length of the cooling-off period within which you can cancel, and information on how you can end the contract.
"These conditions are rarely met on the doorstep”, says Trading Standards Team Leader, David Marsh.
"Often these doorstep sales people are impossible to trace as they leave no paperwork, with many folk paying them hundreds if not thousands of pounds without even knowing their names.”
"Our advice is that if you need work doing, ask friends and neighbours for recommendations of reputable trades people and get a written quote from more than one before deciding to have any expensive home improvements done”.
No uninvited sales people! packs, which include the blue and white window sticker, are still available to households throughout Shetland. Many have found this effective in telling door-to-door sales people that they are not welcome. Pick one up from the Council’s Grantfield office, or call 01595 744887 and they’ll send one out to you.
ENDS.