Kent Trading Standards warn on traders working in Folkestone area

Kent Trading Standards has received several complaints about traders working in the Folkestone area. The traders have been cold calling residents without invitation and offering home improvement services such as roofing and driveways. Where work has been carried out it is often very overpriced and of poor quality.

The traders involved have also failed to give the residents a cancellation period of 7 days. This practice removes the customer's legal rights to the benefit of the trader and is illegal.

New laws for doorstep selling now extend the 7 day cooling off period to trader visits that are requested by the consumer, as well as cold-calls. The trader commits an offence if they fail to provide a cancellation notice. The cancellation notice must contain certain information including the trader's identity and address and it must be given to the consumer when they agree to have the work done. In certain circumstances consumers can give the trader permission in writing to begin the work or provide the goods straightaway. The consumer can still cancel within 7 days, but will have to pay for the trader's reasonable costs up to the time that they cancel.

Kent Trading Standards advise that you do not agree to this type of work to be done unexpectedly at your door step. Ask friends or relations for recommendations of good traders or ring Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 and ask for the list of trusted traders on the Buy With Confidence scheme who have been through an audit process to be accepted onto the scheme.

Please report similar incidents to Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06