No Cold Calling advice for consumers: Your Doorstep Your Decision
As part of the
'Your Doorstep, Your Decision' campaign, Blackpool Council Trading Standards is maintaining efforts to raise awareness of rogue doorstep traders in certain areas of the town.
The campaign, which has been running for a number of years, was launched by the Office of Fair Trading and aims to highlight the sophisticated psychological approaches used by rogue operators, while also helping consumers to resist such persuasive sales tactics and stay in control.
Research indicates that nearly three million people have fallen victim to a rogue doorstep trader. The oldest were hardest hit with those over 55 years losing almost £1100 each on average. The research revealed that 84 per cent of respondents had been approached by cold callers, 49 per cent of whom said they felt uncomfortable or intimidated.
Typically, rogue traders will try to find common ground with a homeowner and use deceptive and misleading claims. Some may falsely claim to be endorsed by a trade association or a local council. Victims may also be made to feel that there is a great sense of urgency in the offer, and if they don't sign up, they'll miss out.
While cold calling is not currently unlawful in the UK, rogue doorstep trading is an ongoing problem. Already this year, Consumer Direct has received almost 4,000 complaints about cold callers offering home repairs, the top three concerned roofing, tarmacing and paving, and insulation. Trading Standards are urging all businesses and traders not to call at homes which display a
No Cold Calling Sticker.
To help you stay in control of your decision when confronted on your doorstep and have the confidence to say no, please remember the following advice:
- Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home
- Don’t hand over a cash deposit
- Don’t agree to a trader starting any work straight away
- Take time to consult with someone you trust before making any decision
- If the caller claims to be endorsed by a trade association or a local council, ask for evidence of this
- Don’t feel unable to say no or asking the trader to leave
- If in doubt, or to get your No Cold Calling Sticker, please contact Trading Standards on 478375 for advice.
Remember it's your home, so it's your decision who you let in and what you buy – nobody else’s.