The ‘Buy With Confidence‘ website is a database of Trading Standard approved local businesses, as approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team.
Residents looking for a reliable plumber, gardener or electrician can search the database using the ‘Find a Business’ search tool on the Buy with Confidence website. Simply put in your postcode and select the type of business you want. From the list of approved local businesses, residents will be able to view their business profile, read customer reviews and send the business an email.
B&NES Council states that the Buy with Confidence scheme provides consumers with a list of businesses that have given their commitment to trading fairly and have undergone a series of detailed checks by the B&NES Council’s Trading Standards team.
Businesses are only permitted to join the scheme once they have passed a series of stringent checks including research into their trading history and financial background, a review of their complaint history and customer references and for those working in and around people’s homes, a criminal record check. Once on the scheme they will continue to be monitored by B&NES Council.
The Buy with Confidence scheme launched in 2008 and 67 councils across the country are signed up. The Trading Standards team advises residents to always ask for proof of identity before letting any tradesperson into their home. If you need to check, ring their employer using the number listed in the phonebook or online.
B&NES Council says:
Looking for a trustworthy tradesperson? Need someone to repair your car, insulate your loft or resurface your drive? Visit the Buy With Confidence website, pop in your postcode and search for local businesses approved by the Trading Standards team at Bath & North East Somerset Council. All approved traders have passed stringent checks and committed to trading fairly with no cold calling. Visit buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Businesses looking to join the ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme
If you are a business wanting to boost your credibility and attract more customers, you can find out more and start your registration on the Buy With Confidence website. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team will then contact you within five working days with further details.
To be eligible, businesses must be based in Bath & North East Somerset, have been trading for at least six months and must not cold call customers.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has waived the usual application fee for businesses joining the scheme and discounted membership is available for sole traders with no employees.
For further information from B&NES Council, view their Newsroom article ‘Council-approved local businesses help residents avoid rogue traders‘.