Successful first decade (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Successful first decade

2:46pm Thursday 11th June 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

FINDING new clients and successfully promoting a business has become increasingly difficult as the UK goes through one of the toughest economic periods for years.

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service wants to help by making more people aware of its successful approved trader scheme which is helping businesses ato stand out from the competition and prosper.

The scheme, now in its tenth year, now has more than 2,500 members .

It brings together a list of gardeners, plumbers, electricians and many other types of business from all over Hampshire, which have been individually checked for trustworthiness and compliance with consumer protection laws.

Trading Standards officers visit and vet every applicant and only if they pass stringent checks are they accepted onto the scheme and they can then display the Buy With Confidence logo.

It doesn’t stop there because, once a business becomes a member of the scheme, they are constantly monitored by the Trading Standards Service to make sure that their standards aren’t slipping.

Feedback is invited from their customers and revisits are carried out.

The benefits for consumers are: l Access to a list of reputable businesses; l Peace of mind knowing you are using a vetted business; l Support and assistance from Trading Standards should things go wrong.

For businesses, the value of joining the scheme includes: l Independent recognition of their business standards l Publicity and a place on the Buy With Confidence website l Increased consumer confidence, reduced complaints and a free mediation facility should it be required.

lAdvice and updates on the consumer law that applies to your business If you are interested in how the scheme can help you and your business, contact the team at 0845 040506 and for an up-to-date list of businesses approved by Trading Standards, visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.