Trading Standards warn of rogue traders in Walsall
Date Published : 10 July 2008
Walsall Council’s trading standards officers are calling for residents to be on their guard after a rogue trader conned a woman into paying over £1,000 to re-lay her driveway and fled before competing the work.
A woman, in her 60s, who lives in Aldridge, was approached by two men while she was in her garden, who offered to re-lay her driveway.
The woman paid £1,225 cash for the work and the men dug up the driveway but did not come back to finish the work.
Trading Standards have informed the police about the incident and have been carrying out investigations but have been unable to trace the men as they only have a mobile phone number.
They are now urging residents to be on their guard and to be very wary of any cold callers who are offering to carry out work to their properties.
Councillor Rachel Walker, portfolio holder for environment, said: “Residents should be extremely cautious of traders calling at their home uninvited. They should always ask for a written quotation and not be pressured into agreeing on the spot. Genuine traders do not need to cold call.”
Trading Standards Manager John Beavon said: “For cold calling work you should be give a notice of cancellation rights. This gives you chance to cancel the deal if you think you’ve made the wrong decision. If you have not received a cancellation rights notice the contract is void, you do not have to pay and if you have already done so, you are entitled to a refund.”
Anyone worried about a caller should contact the police or Consumer Direct
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