Trading standards revives ‘say no to sales people’ message

The council’s trading standards service is once again warning householders to say no to uninvited sales people on their doorsteps.

Up and down the country, better weather usually sees people going door-to-door offering to do work on buildings, paths, driveways and gardens, trading standards manager David Marsh said. But doorstep calls from uninvited sales people probably would not result in great bargains for consumers.

He said: “In many cases, they lead to complaints about high-pressure selling of over-priced and poor quality goods or services – which are very often neither needed nor wanted.

“The law requires door-to-door sales people to give you a notice detailing your cancellation rights, the length of the cooling-off period within which you can cancel, and information on how you can cancel the contract.

“All too often, though, rogue traders turn up at folks’ homes causing stress, worry and havoc for some of our most vulnerable householders and then disappear without leaving so much as an address.”

Anyone wishing to report such activities can call the Safer Shetland Action Line on (01595) 694544. This number is staffed every hour of every day, and the details will be passed to trading standards or the police (depending on the nature of the incident) for appropriate attention.

The trading standards service sent out “No Uninvited Sales People! for a Safer Shetland” packs to households at the campaign launch in 2007 and they are still available. Folk can pick them up from the Grantfield office or call (01595) 744887 and a copy will be sent out.

Councillor Jim Henry, the SIC environment spokesman, said: “This campaign has been very successful in deterring the rogue traders who caused problems throughout the islands. Let’s all continue to work together for a safer Shetland.”