Information Bulletin
07 March 2007
Launch of No uninvited sales people! campaign
Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service is today launching its No uninvited sales people! campaign.
Householders throughout the islands will be receiving their campaign packs over the next few days, and Trading Standards hope that the blue and white ‘NO UNINVITED SALES PEOPLE!’ sticker should, from next week, be a familiar sight at front doors across Shetland.
Doorstep selling is a perennial problem in Shetland, causing numerous complaints to Trading Standards and the Police. There is often little that can be done after the event to help the aggrieved victims of high-pressure selling of poor quality goods or services – which, in many cases, are neither needed nor wanted.
Councillor Willie Tait, Spokesperson for Health and Public Protection, warns: “When that knock comes at the door, householders are often taken unawares. These sales people are skilled at being very persuasive. This campaign is about helping folk to say ‘No’ - with the confidence that help is at hand from others in their community, as well as from the authorities.”
Similar approaches have been proven to reduce doorstep sales (and, in many cases, associated criminal activity or unscrupulous dealings) in various places throughout Britain.
Shetland’s approach is unique, in that we are tackling the problem across the entire local authority area. The intention is that the campaign sticker will quickly become recognisable to uninvited sales people, the same image from one end of Shetland to the other demonstrating that they are wasting their time and money coming here to try to rip people off.
To gauge how well such a campaign would be received in Shetland, Trading Standards sought the views of 1000 local residents. Community Councils were also invited to comment. An overwhelming majority of those who responded wanted something done about doorstep selling, and most agreed that this was the way to do it.
Many expressed their appreciation of the traditional, locally based doorstep suppliers (such as fish vans, butchers and grocers), and didn’t want these to be affected. It is acknowledged that such traders provide a valuable service, particularly in the more rural parts of our community.
Councillor Alistair Inkster, Vice-Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, welcomes the campaign. “This is designed to combat rogue traders who arrive in Shetland, cause stress, worry and havoc for some of our most vulnerable householders, and then disappear without leaving so much as an address.”
Some people who responded to the consultation pointed out that they are confident about turning away an uninvited caller from their home without this help. Nevertheless, Trading Standards are encouraging every householder to display the sticker.
David Marsh, Service Manager – Trading Standards, says: “The repeated image will reinforce the message to rogue sales people that they are not welcome in Shetland, while at the same time showing support to those people who may find it difficult to persuade a persistent and overbearing caller to leave their property.”
The inside face of the door sticker provides a reminder of the Safer Shetland Action Line, which is the best way to report any problems with uninvited sales people. The 694544 number is staffed every hour of every day, and the details will be passed to Trading Standards or the Police (depending on the nature of the incident) for appropriate attention.
For those who might prefer not to have to get into discussion with a doorstep seller, cards are available from Trading Standards with a short message to tell the caller that their visit is not wanted and that they will be reported to the Police and Trading Standards if they persist.
Ends.
Notes:-
The No uninvited sales people! campaign will be launched at an event in the Holmsgarth Ferry Terminal (upstairs) at 10.30am on Wednesday 7 March 2007.
Campaign packs will be delivered over the next few days to all Shetland households listed on the publicly available version of the electoral roll. Anyone who hasn’t received a pack by next Friday 16th March can collect one from the Council’s Grantfield office or phone 01595 744800 and ask for one to be sent out.
The Council’s Trading Standards web pages at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards have information about the work the Service does throughout the year, together with advice and information for consumers and businesses and links to other useful websites.
For advice on any consumer issue, either as an individual or on behalf of a business, people in Shetland can call Consumer Direct on 08454040506, Citizens Advice on 01595694696, or Trading Standards on 01595744887.
The Trading Standards Service is based at the Council’s Grantfield offices, where they can also be contacted by email to trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or fax 01595 744804.
David Marsh, Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, is available for interview if required – please contact trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or call 01595744887.