Trading standards

Medway Fair Trader Scheme is a Medway Trading Standards Service initiative. The aim of the scheme is to improve business standards and increase customer confidence in member businesses. Approved businesses have agreed to abide by the terms and conditions of the scheme and have been checked by Trading Standards to ensure compliance.

Each year Medway Council's Trading Standards Service receives in the region of six thousand complaints about businesses in the Medway area. By far the highest proportion of these businesses associated with home improvements.

This scheme is a positive move to improve the way in which traders deal with consumers. There is no place in it for rogue traders who do not care for customer satisfaction or compliance with the law.

What is in it for you the Consumer?

• Consumers can check with Trading Standards to see which businesses are members of the scheme before purchasing goods or services.
• The scheme is voluntary. By joining the scheme businesses are demonstrating a commitment to customer care and fair-trading.
• Trading Standards will continue to work closely with scheme members, and will carry out monitoring exercises to help make sure high standards are maintained.

You can be assured that the member businesses:

• Comply with the law.
• Contract terms are fair, in plain English and clearly legible.
• Pricing is clear, and information about payment methods is provided.
• No repair or servicing work will be carried out without the customer's permission.
• Parts replaced during repair or servicing are made available for inspection.
• Itemised invoices are provided.
• The business operates an effective customer complaints procedure.

Approval of a business does not mean that the Trading Standards Service:

• Can guarantee its financial stability.
• Has individually checked the quality of any goods or services provided.
• Gives any guarantee or warranty as to the value for money of goods or services compared with a competitor, or that they will be satisfactory.

How will I find out whether a business is a member of the scheme?

Look for the distinctive Medway Fair Trader Scheme Logo on business premises, documentation and advertisements. You can also contact Trading Standards at the address below, who have an up to date list of members.

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