FAQ's on Buy With Confidence

What's it all about?

The aim of the Buy with Confidence scheme is to help consumers to avoid rogue businesses and cowboys by providing a list of reputable local trades and services. Member companies have been independently checked by staff from the local authority Trading Standards Service against the Scheme rules.

Do you want to use a business that:

Is committed to fair trading and to providing a quality service for their customers?
Undertakes to comply with the spirit and the letter of the law and not restrict your rights?
Deals with customers promptly, efficiently and courteously and in accordance with good trading practice?
Has a sound customer complaints procedure?
Makes sure that their staff are competent for the work they carry out?

Then use a business that displays the Buy with Confidence logo. Before being accepted as a member each business has demonstrated a high level of commitment to operate in a fair and honest way and has been audited by Trading Standards personnel, including a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Who is running the scheme?

The scheme is run by the Trading Standards Services of West Sussex County Council, There are also schemes in operation in Hampshire, Southampton, IOW, Surrey, Kent, Devon, Bath & North Somerset, Bracknell Forest, Milton Keynes, Nottinghamshire, Slough and East Sussex; there are more to be opened in the south in the very near future.

How can I be sure that the businesses on the scheme are reliable?

All members are subjected to stringent checks by Trading Standards staff to ensure their trustworthiness and compliance with the law. Levels of consumer complaints against members are also monitored on a regular basis.

Does this mean that I will never have a problem with a business who is a member of the scheme?

No, it is not possible to ensure that nothing will ever go wrong. However, if you have a problem with a member of the scheme they are required to deal with any complaints in a fair and equitable manner. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the Trading Standards Service will attempt to assist in reaching a solution.

Does the scheme guarantee that members will offer the lowest price?

No. Members are not required to offer the lowest price, but they are expected to offer value for money and make all charges clear at the start of a contract and remember, the cheapest quote will not necessarily be the best one.

Does the scheme guarantee the quality of goods or workmanship?

Members of the scheme are committed to providing a quality service to their customers and complying with both the letter and the spirit of the law. We cannot, however, guarantee the quality of their work but would not permit membership to businesses that give rise to regular complaint.

How much does it cost to use the list of members?

There is no charge to consumers for using the scheme.