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PRO

Great news that Trading Standards based "Buy With Confidence" scheme has invested in revamping the website, giving a new fresh look, improved search facilities and a 'Trader Dashboard' providing Admin facilities.

They also report: "We are promoting further growth of the scheme by developing options to make BWC even more attractive to Local Authorities and also to extend membership to areas where there are currently no scheme operators.

In addition, we are developing a number of products complementary to BWC which can be offered to members and which we believe will be particularly attractive to small to medium businesses. Full details will be made available to you as soon as these are finalised."

Glad to see the scheme going from strength to strength and providing what we need, especially in light of 'other' expensive commercially based recommended/trusted contractor style websites/schemes.

Existing BWC Website

Full details in attachment, below;

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  • Gary noticed that your BWC approved,was wondering how much it costs,in time and hassle not just cash and do you feel it generates much business

  • Irrelevant around here.

    Interesting to note a taxpayer-backed authority, Trading Standards, has deliberately decided to miss out the M62 corridor altogether, a significant population density paying a very significant proportion of its taxation-derived income.

    I see it is condescending to expand slowly from the south northwards rather than showing any inclination towards even so much as a gesture to those vast regions of our country which go on being regarded by the establishment as non-existent.

    More evidence of central government arrogance and civil service silo thinking.

  • PRO

    Really !

    I suggest you read and understand how BWC is structured and who is responsible (ie Local Authority Trading Standards). My understanding is that funding & participation is local and partially derived from its members.

    Perhaps worth questioning your own LA as to why they have not joined rather than making such a sweeping condemnation of a good scheme??

    Mike Goodman said:

    Irrelevant around here.

    Interesting to note a taxpayer-backed authority, Trading Standards, has deliberately decided to miss out the M62 corridor altogether, a significant population density paying a very significant proportion of its taxation-derived income.

    I see it is condescending to expand slowly from the south northwards rather than showing any inclination towards even so much as a gesture to those vast regions of our country which go on being regarded by the establishment as non-existent.

    More evidence of central government arrogance and civil service silo thinking.

  • PRO

    Hi Paul,

    The cost varies by region. I believe our membership is ~£120 pa, with a once off application fee.

    TS visit you to review your business entity, premisses (if relevant), your business forms (letters, invoices etc), check your status & insurances, T&Cs and review several client references. They are supportive, provide templates, etc, a contact point along with inclusion into various TS related publications. Our region offers legislation update sessions as well as emails updates. You also get some marketing collateral. It's relevance to me (and public) is it's independence - it is not a commercial revenue generating recommendation site.

    Do they generate business ? I found they did but not often directly. Some of our clients have mentioned subsequently they checked us out via the BWC website. However the business model is different and it will never by a true business generating service

    paul mcdermott said:

    Gary noticed that your BWC approved,was wondering how much it costs,in time and hassle not just cash and do you feel it generates much business

  • Gary RK, you are nominally correct. However, since Thatcher took away most of the discretion held by LAs and handed it to the mandarins, being nominally in the control of ministers, and Brown finished off the job by removing the rest, locally elected officials have very little say in the matter. Trading Standards are penniless in this region, quite apart from the fact that they are a law unto themselves unless and until the mandarins intervene.

    In case you are in any doubt, I would love to see the scheme introduced not only here but across all of these sceptered isles.

  • PRO

    Only 'nominally' ?, blimey I must be slacking ... scratchchin.gif

    So,  it's successful & active in the South/Midlands and clearly some LA's in the North West have been proactive:

    UK.png


    It's down to your Local Authority as to whether they wish to participate in the scheme. One can point fingers at "others" / central government and perhaps it's too easy to blame Thatcher, Brown et al ;-) ? but suggest you express your desire to see a scheme to your local authorities TS Dept.


    Mike Goodman said:

    Gary RK, you are nominally correct. However, since Thatcher took away most of the discretion held by LAs and handed it to the mandarins, being nominally in the control of ministers, and Brown finished off the job by removing the rest, locally elected officials have very little say in the matter. Trading Standards are penniless in this region, quite apart from the fact that they are a law unto themselves unless and until the mandarins intervene.

    In case you are in any doubt, I would love to see the scheme introduced not only here but across all of these sceptered isles.

  • PRO

    From the TS Ombudsman 2014 report;

    "The rogue trader problem is exacerbated by the fact that homeowners are unlikely to check credentials before commissioning work.

    The majority (57 per cent) did not check at all, with one in five (18 per cent) assuming that the tradesman was accredited and one in eight (13 per cent) unaware that such schemes even existed"

  • PRO

     

    We're celebrating the launch of the brand new website.

    Take a look and tell us what you think!

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