Get your business official approval

11:52, 29 Oct 2007

We're once again encouraging local traders to sign up for the 'Buy with Confidence' scheme, which will award them a recommendation from Trading Standards.

The scheme, which Trading Standards have been involved with for a year in November, gives sole traders and businesses official stamps of approval if they meet certain criteria.

The scheme has already attracted more than 150 applications from Nottinghamshire plumbers, builders, electricians and other traders, and these are in the process of being approved with 35 traders already on the list.

Trading Standards would like to get more businesses on board before Monday 12th November and are urging traders who feel they would meet the criteria to come forwards. The 12th November sees the start of National Consumer Week, in which Trading Standards will promote the campaign to the public around the county.

Helping residents avoid unscrupulous traders

Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Age Concern have united to form the initiative, which aims to help Nottinghamshire residents avoid some of the less scrupulous traders who may try to rip them off or carry out sub-standard work.

However, the organisers are urging other local traders to sign up to help boost public confidence in their services. Advantages for trading include:

• independent recognition of your business standards
• beneficial publicity
• proof of membership by Certificate for display on your premises and use of logo
• pre-entry vetting to ensure the credibility of the scheme and that high standards are maintained
• your company's name on a list held by your Local Authority to recommend to consumers
• a place on the 'Buy With Confidence' website with a 'hot link' to your own site for potential customers
• increased consumer confidence and reduced complaints
• a better relationship with regulators based on co-operation rather than enforcement
• a named contact for your business with the Trading Standards Service
• information on new legislation, trade scams etc.

To qualify, the following checks must have been carried out:

• checks with a selection of previous customers
• checks for records of appropriate staff training
• checks to ensure the customer complaints handling procedure is effective
• checks for outstanding County Court Judgements
• checks for public liability insurance
• Credit Reference Agency check
• bank reference checks

Join the scheme

The fees to join the scheme are detailed below:

• £50 for traders with one to five employees
• £100 for traders with six to 15 employees
• £150 for traders with more than 15 employees.

Pauline Hutchinson, of Nottinghamshire Trading Standards, said: "This is a great opportunity for traders to let their customers know they offer a fair and honest service, approved by Trading Standards. We welcome applications from all traders, from small companies to larger firms."

If traders want to find out about adding their company's details to the 'Buy With Confidence' scheme, they should contact trading standards on tel: 01623 452005 or register at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.

If you can recommend a reliable trader, please get in touch with their details so we can contact them about adding them to our list.

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