Why you cant trustatrader.com

Just to remind digital marketing companies of the law
" The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 contain a general prohibition on unfair commercial practices, in particular misleading and aggressive practices. They also contain 31 banned practices which are prohibited in all circumstances. It is a banned practice to use editorial content in the media to promote a product where a trader has paid for the promotion without making that clear in the content or by images or sounds clearly identifiable by the consumer. It is also a banned practice to falsely claim or create the impression that a trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business or profession, or to falsely represent oneself as a consumer."

jkenn wrote: »

Does anyone have an idea of who I could complain to, not as a customer of Trustatrader but someone who has experienced their appalling mediation service with one of it's traders who nearly killed me with their shoddy workmanship.

Your best bet would probably be to contact the Citizens advice bureau (CAB) and ask them to pass your concerns on to trading Standards.
If you want to take direct action then you will have to consider legal action against the trader concerned. Depending on the sum involved, this can be done through Moneyclaim online and isn't that expensive. (I think that to file a claim is about £40 then there are extra costs later on but these can be added to the amount you are attempting to reclaim from the trader).

Here's the cynical way trustatrader promote themselves using charities
Bravr digital marketing
http://www.bravr.com/clients/trust-a-trader/

"One of our primary challenges that we faced with Trust a Trader was to improve on its online visibility. Well thought out strategies were put into place to increase this by campaign building. Bravr successfully organised a partnership with a national charity to help fundraising for vulnerable people. Whilst raising money for such a great cause, Bravr supported Trust a Trader through the large amount of media attention the campaign brought."

Admitting they " suppress the negatives" :eek:

"Solutions
Our relationship with Trust a Trader is helping... This has also been backed up by extensive promotional campaigns, working with other relative charities from around the UK. Like any major company, having a positive reputation is key to success. Bravr recognise this and have put together strategies that not has only boosted TrustaTraders reputation but also suppressed the negatives."

"Additionally, most Recommended Care will ensure that its commercial relationships with businesses are prominently disclosed.

The case involving the three care home review sites also encompassed Checkatrade and Trustatrader, websites for finding tradespeople, and is part of a wider package of work being carried out by the CMA to improve practices in the online reviews and endorsements sector."