Dave Thompson MSP

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has spoken out against rogue traders in a Members’ Business Debate in the Scottish Parliament backing the Nail the Rogues campaign by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Figures released by the Office of Fair Trading show that home improvements continue to top the list of complaints about doorstep rogue traders. Last year, Consumer Direct received more than 13,000 complaints about uninvited traders and almost half of these complaints, 5,718, related to home maintenance work. Dave Thompson spoke in a Members’ Business Debate by James Kelly MSP which highlights the fact that rogue traders have frequently been reported to encourage people to spend money on work that is unnecessary, overpriced, or of poor quality. The MSP also encouraged the elderly and vulnerable to be on their guard against rogue traders knocking at their door and for the general public to be made aware of the dangers posed by illegitimate traders.

Dave Thompson MSP said: “I was pleased to speak out in support of FMB’s Nail the Rogues campaign. I would encourage my constituents in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, not to buy goods or services at their doors and to always ask friends and family to recommend a tradesman they trust.

Grahame Barn, Director of FMB Scotland, added: “Every year thousands of householders are fleeced by rogue door-to-door home maintenance traders masquerading as professionals. These rogue traders frighten their potential targets into having work done and parting with large sums of cash by suggesting that their home is in need of repair.

Barn continued: “Anyone who turns up at the door and tries to frighten you into having work done is a crook. Only ever employ a tradesperson who has been recommended to you or is a proven member of a trade association, make sure you ask for and check their references too. We are grateful to the MSPs who spoke in this debate for bringing the issue to the Scottish Parliaments attention and we hope it will result in wider awareness of the danger of employing a door-step caller.

Notes:

The Federation of Master Builders

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK building industry, representing around 10,000 building companies. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized building firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit-making, lobbying continuously for members’ interests at both national and local levels.

The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to save them time and money. The FMB also offers advice to consumers via its find a builder and check a builder websites.

For more information please visit: www.fmb.org.uk

Nail the Rogues Campaign

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the largest trade association in the building industry, has linked up with Trading Standards to advise consumers on how they can avoid being ripped off by rogue traders. Through the Nail the Rogues campaign homeowners can find help and advice for spotting and avoiding rogue traders as well as how to find a reputable builder. Homeowners can also visit the Nail the Rogues website to order free door stickers to help keep rogue traders away.

For more information on the Nail the Rogues Campaign please visit: http://www.nailtherogues.org.uk/