South Ayrshire Council News

This week South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service are reissuing the warning to local householders to be on their guard against bogus workmen following an incident involving a vulnerable householder in the Minishant area.

Trading Standards Officers and Police were alerted to the fact that bogus workmen may have been operating in the local area last week and were monitoring the situation closely. Fortunately an astute employee from the Council’s Housing Service rumbled the bogus workmen before they could extort money from an elderly Minishant lady for work she had clearly refused to have done.

A spokesperson from the Maybole Area Housing Office stated; “The bogus workmen had attempted to force an elderly tenant to pay £750 to carry out work in her garden. They also offered to carry out repairs to her roof. Luckily we managed to arrive on the scene before they could carry out any major work and force payment from a vulnerable tenant who actually wanted nothing to do with them. She contacted us and we managed to scare them off before reporting the matter to Trading Standards and the Police.”

A spokesperson for Trading Standards said,” We are all too aware that the arrival of better weather can bring with it a variety of callers offering their services for everything from roof repairs to garden maintenance. The majority of these callers are honest traders going about their normal daily business, however there are also some who are not just as honest or trustworthy! The latter unfortunately tend to take advantage of the most vulnerable among us – older people in particular. South Ayrshire’s Trading Standards Service would like to reissue the following advice to local consumers -

If the work to be carried out is the result of an unsolicited call, you should ask for and receive a written notice describing the contract, the trader’s details and clear advice about your right to cancel the contract altogether. Invoices should contain details of the trader and 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.

If you feel that you are being pressurised by any un-invited caller, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I want the work carried out?
• Should I get a second opinion?
• Should I have someone here with me before I agree to the contract?
• Can I afford it?
• Do I trust them?

Rogue traders will use techniques such as, “I’ve been working in the area….” or “I noticed you’ve got a few loose tiles on your roof…” to entice you to allow them to carry out work on your behalf.

Never pay ‘up front’ – you may never see your money again.”

Councillor Peter Convery, who is responsible for Trading Standards issues said: “Every year we see local residents duped into paying large sums for unnecessary and shoddy work. I would encourage anyone who is approached on the doorstep to take a little time to consider what is on offer. There is no guarantee that the services carried out will be of the same quality as those carried out by established tradesmen. In addition it may prove difficult for a consumer to obtain a refund from itinerant traders should any problem develop. If you are being put under pressure to part with cash on your doorstep, then say ‘No’. Take the time to think about what you’re being offered as genuine tradesmen will allow you the time to think it over. If you feel you are being intimidated or threatened then call the police.”

Trading Standards free consumer advice service is available five days a week on 01292 616060 or from their office at 5-7 River Terrace Ayr.