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Background
The Fair Trading Team of Gateshead Trading Standards regularly receives requests from consumers for details of ‘approved’ or ‘registered’ traders. The current practise is to recommend traders that are part of an existing trade body or part of a general approval scheme such as ‘Trustmark’, the Government national scheme. Consumers therefore encounter great problems in terms of selecting an appropriate trader. Consequently, problems are encountered in terms of quality of work undertaken as well as in getting remedial and completion work performed in a reasonable and prompt manner.
Many small traders are unable or unwilling to join ‘approved schemes’ as there are often high start up costs or they are seen as overly bureaucratic. This is particularly true in the small building service sector, which is characterised by a large number of very small businesses often involving a single operator.
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What is the Scheme
The Gateshead Council Registered Trader Scheme is designed to encourage and promote fair-trading in home repair businesses across the region and help put Gateshead residents in touch with reliable traders. Businesses who are members of the scheme are therefore vouching that they will abide by the code of practice and attempt to ensure good business practice. This scheme will be promoted and accessible via a wide variety of partners throughout Gateshead. Applicants will go through a series of checks to ensure they have reasonable standards of business practice and on-going review will attempt to ensure such standards are maintained. Members will also agree to abide by the Code of Practice of the Scheme|.
The Registered Trader Scheme is mainly concerned with the good working practices and customer care aspects of business. It is not an assurance of any other part of an organisation. The acceptance of a member onto the scheme does not mean that Trading Standards guarantees the quality of goods or services provided by the member, nor do trading standards take responsibility for any of the work done. The decision to use a business is solely the choice of the consumer.
The Registered Trader Scheme is a list of trades’ people who have been vetted and are committed to abide by the wording and spirit of the code of practice.
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What if problems occur?
Whilst the service will ensure that members comply with legislation, problems inevitably occur. If this should happen the trader should be contacted in the first instance and given the chance to put things right. The trader will be obliged to deal with the request quickly, fairly and without too much delay. If matters still remain unresolved the Trading Standards Fair Trading Service can act as a mediator to attempt to bring any problems to a successful conclusion.
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Becoming a Member of the Scheme
The Vetting Criteria:
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County Court Judgement Checks
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Trading Standards Database Check
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Compliance with Civil and Criminal Law
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Companies House Check
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Relevant Membership of any Trade Associations
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Consumer Credit Licence (where applicable)
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Business Documentation including Terms and Conditions
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Compliance with Building Control Legislation
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What will it Cost?
The scheme will be free to join.
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Limitations of the Scheme
This is an introductory service only. All contracts entered into are strictly between the trader and the consumer – Gateshead Council Trading Standards Service does not act as an agent for any trader and has no contractual liability. The inclusion of a business in the Scheme does not mean that the Trading Standards Service guarantees the quality of the goods or service provided, nor can we accept any responsibility for any aspect of the work. We are also unable to guarantee the financial standing of members nor their Health and Safety procedures. The decision to use a particular business rests solely with the consumer.
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Appeals Procedure
Where applicants are refused entry onto the scheme or when membership is revoked after joining the scheme, the reasons for refusal or revocation of membership will be given in writing. Any appeal against the decision must be made in writing to the Head of Service of Trading Standards within 14 days of the decision to refuse or revoke membership. The scheme also reserves the right to cancel a trader’s membership at any time if the business is not abiding by the principles or commitments of the scheme.
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Exclusions from the Scheme
Traders will not be eligible to join the scheme if they:
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Have unsatisfied County Court Judgements;
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Provide false information submitted on the application form;
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Falsely claim membership of other Trade Organisations;
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Have been successfully prosecuted by Trading Standards within the past 2 years.
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Reasons to join the Scheme?
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Beneficial Publicity for the Business
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Independent recognition of the business standards
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Proof of membership by Registered Trader Scheme Certificate and window stickers for display
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Use of the scheme logo on business documentation, advertisements and other promotional material
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Business information held on a list which will be widely available across the borough
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A place on the Registered Trader Scheme website which will include a link to the business website should there be one
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Improved relationship with the trading standards service based on co-operation rather than enforcement
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Free advice on legislation and information relevant to the trade
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Increased consumer confidence which will lead to fewer complaints
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A mediation service should there be any disputes with customers
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The Trading Standards Service can offer relevant training seminars to assist with legal compliance.
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Improved Consumer Confidence
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How to Join
Contact Gateshead Registered Trader Scheme via the address below. Alternatively download and return a completed Application Form| and return it via email, or to the address on the right of this page.
An information and application pack will be sent to be completed and returned.
Alternatively interest can be registered by emailing the Registered Trader Scheme|