Trading Standards have issued a warning to people living in South Bristol after several reports of a rogue trader knocking on doors in the Bedminster Down and Bishopsworth areas and aggressively demanding money after offering to clean people’s guttering.
“Our advice is to never deal with people on the doorstep who you have not asked to call first,” said the team leader for Trading Standards, Sarah Davey. “Our experience of rogue trader activity is that they often have no formal training to carry out the work and some have links with distraction burglary.”
If you need to get work done at home there are some simple steps you can follow to help avoid rogue traders:
- Always obtain at least three written quotes – remember an estimate is a ‘best guess’ whereas a quote is the price you pay.
- Do not agree to anything until you are happy and have had time to think.
- Ensure you have the trader’s full name and address.
- 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.
- Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion.
- Rogue traders should be reported to police on 101, or to the Citizens Advice Consumer Line on 03454 04 05 06.