With the arrival of better weather South Ayrshire householders have already received a variety of personal callers offering everything from roof repairs to garden maintenance.  Most of these callers will be honest tradesmen but a minority will not – so how do you tell the difference?

Information received by South Ayrshire Trading Standards suggests that itinerant traders are targeting South Ayrshire for the sale of different goods and services.  The victims of doorstep selling scams are usually people who are more often at home, such as the elderly, people with young children and those who are housebound.

As a result the Trading Standards Service today issued a warning to South Ayrshire consumers to be on their guard when dealing with doorstep callers.  The advice is not to be pressurised into buying goods you don’t want or have work carried out that you don’t need. 

Doorstep sellers will use different techniques, such as “I’ve been working in the area….” And “I noticed you’ve got a few loose tiles on your roof…” to entice you to allow them into your home.  Once they are in your home, a doorstep seller will expect to make a sale and therefore may not give up easily.

If you feel that doorstep sellers are putting you under pressure to buy goods or services, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I want the goods or services?
• Can I afford them?  Never pay ‘up front’ – you may never see your money again.
• Would I buy them if I saw them in a shop?
• Do I trust the seller? 
• Are the goods safe if buying electrical equipment?
• Are the goods in working order?
• If there is a problem with the goods or work carried out, can I contact the trader again? – Never deal with anyone on the basis of a telephone or mobile phone number contact only.

If the answer to any of these questions is “NO”.  DON’T BUY!

It is also worth remembering that if the service was the result of an unsolicited call, consumers should receive a written notice describing the contract, the trader’s details and clearly advising them of their right to cancel the contract altogether.  In any case invoices given should contain details of the trader and any other contact particulars such as an address, a mobile phone number is not enough as you may not be able to trace the trader if things go wrong.

Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee said: “It is unacceptable that members of our community are being targeted by unscrupulous traders who are here for one day and gone the next depriving the people of South Ayrshire of their hard earned cash, taking away valuable income from local businesses and besmirching the reputation of honest traders.”

Councillor Hunter added: “Consumers should make an informed choice when buying goods or services on their doorstep.  Before parting with your hard earned cash seek advice from our Trading Standards Advice Centre which is open six days a week.  I urge everyone dealing with itinerant traders to be cautious and to take the time to think about what you’re being offered as genuine traders will allow you the time to think it over.”

Anyone who wishes advice on this or knows someone who was the victim of a bogus trader should call the Trading Standards Advice Centre (Mon. –Sat.), on 01292 61 60 60 or visit the Advice Centre at 5 - 7 River Terrace, Ayr.

July 2006