As a tradesman, you have probably heard your fair share of horror stories in your time, especially when it comes to rogue traders. However, even though rogue traders prey on consumers, they also have a detrimental effect on the trade industry as a whole, which means that you need to know how to spot them and what to do if you encounter an issue with one. You may also need to provide advice to one of your customers on what to do about a previous trader they had, so here, Nova Insurance looks at how you can handle rogue traders:
What is a ‘Rogue Trader’?
Put simply, rogue traders are tradesmen who purposely provide sub-standard work and take advantage of their customers. Rogue traders commit a number of crimes, including failing to provide the work promised, carrying out work without being covered by tradesman liability insurance and threatening customers who complain about their work. Unfortunately, rogue traders tend to target vulnerable households, such as elderly individuals who are forced to have work done and pay well over the odds for it. It is important to note that a rogue trader is not the same as a bad trader; even if some traders lack the necessary skills to complete a job, this doesn’t mean they are purposely conning their customers out of their money.
How to Spot a Rogue Trader
Rogue traders generally don’t stay in one area for too long; they risk being caught, so they also don’t tend to provide their customers with much information about themselves or the work they will carry out. One of the easiest ways to determine if a tradesman is rogue is to see if they will provide a contract for their work – if they don’t or get aggressive when asked, then make sure you tell them that you will look elsewhere. Rogue tradesmen also tend to offer very cheap quotes for the amount of work that needs to be carried out, mainly because they have no intention of ever finishing it or plan to use sub-standard materials. Remember, if a quote is too good to be true, it probably is!
Harassment and Threats
Besides stealing from their customers, one of the worst things that rogue traders are known for is harassing or even threatening people to get what they want. For example, there have been cases of rogue traders turning up at people’s homes and starting work without them even asking or agreeing. Often, these rogue traders refuse to leave unless they are paid (in cash), and some even threaten to harm the customer or their property if they don’t pay. As a tradesman, if you hear of such stories from one of your customers, make sure you contact the Citizens Advice Bureau and advise them that under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the tradesman in question is committing a criminal offence.
Trade Associations
An easy way for consumers to determine whether a tradesman is rogue is to ask whether they are part of an official trade association. There are numerous trade associations in the UK, so you should be able to find one in your area that will benefit your business and provide you with advice as and when you need it. TrustMark is one of the biggest and most recognised trade associations in the UK and is supported by the government. By joining TrustMark, you can display the TrustMark logo on your business documents and advertising, so consumers will automatically know you are reputable and adhere to industry regulations. Unfortunately, some rogue traders try to claim they are part of a trade association to convince customers to do business with them. An easy way to check whether this is true is to ask for their details and contact the association directly.
By working with consumers to tackle rogue traders, the UK trade industry will improve, and there will be fewer opportunities for rogue traders to take advantage of vulnerable households. Remember, if you think a tradesman is acting outside the law, make sure you call the police or the Citizens Advice Bureau straight away.