Portsmouth Trading Company Warning!!!

Paul_Varjak

I received another leaflet from Portsmouth Trading Company today; it still has the same false address. The occupier of that address is 'fed-up to the teeth' with their address being used.

The Police also told me today they have received numerous compalints from members of the public about Portsmouith Trading Company; it is not clear if these complaints were over the use of a false address or because of other issues.

I have also raised another complaint with Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. I would suggest that anyone receiving a leaflet through their door, retains that leaflet and reports the matter to Consumer Direct and the Police.

It is totally unacceptable for a business to use someone else's address simply because they don't want to use their own address; any legitimate businesses would not do this.

Paul_Varjak

Despite a notice on my door saying 'NO COLD CALLERS', Portsmouth Trading Company have now knocked on my door.

When I pointed out the NO COLD CALLS sign, the lady claimed she was not a cold caller because they had put a leaflet through my door earlier that day!!!

She then went on to say they were licensed by the Police to go door to door. I asked to see the licence and she said that she would get someone else to show it to me.

A few minutes later a man arrived at my door; he claimed that C. Ash & Sons is a dealer registered with Portsmouth Council. He claimed his licence is from Portsmouth Council but it was not possible to carry it around with him! He said he had no licence from the Police.

Portsmouth Council has not issued any licence to Portsmouth Trading Company or C.Ash & Sons. Even if Portsmouth Council had issued any sort of licence it certainly would not apply in North Lincolnshire! Neither C. Ash & Sons nor Portsmouth Trading Company are 'registered' in any way with Porstmouth Council.

Local Councils do not issues licenses to door-to-door sellers/buyers anyway, though they do issues licences for charities collecting door to door. The Police do issue Peddlers' licences, but they have told me that such licenses are not required if you are buying door-to-door; they are only required if selling door-to-door.

Paul_Varjak

Now that I have actually spopken to someone from Portsmouth Trading company in person at my home, I am even more concerned at their business practices.

False claims of a police 'licence', false claims of a Portsmouth Council 'licence', false claims of 'registration' with Portsmouith Council, ignoring my 'no cold callers' sign, the continued use of a false address and threats to 'sort me out' have now prompted me to report this matter to the HMRC.

Alan_the_Anonymous

I'm really appalled to hear that too - there is no excuse at all for a bona fide trader to act that way. OK, I'll admit it - I wonder why I bothered, and I give up on them.

Mind you, I have a No Sales calls sign too which they ignored (they're not selling, they're buying! was the excuse) and Safestyle UK tried it on too yesterday, claiming he wasn't a salesman. Pshaw. I ordered him off my property. It really hacks me off, when they give themselves permission to enter private property and disturb me, and I have to argue the toss on my own front doorstep.

Paul_Varjak

I think the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will be my next port of call; I have an advertising leaflet that Portsmouth Trading Company put through my door yesterday and that leaflet has a false address.

According to the ASA, advertising has to be honest and truthful; it is hardly honest and truthful if the advert has a false address, is it? Also, the leaflet claims that C. Ash & Sons are 'registered dealers'. Maybe Mr Ash would like to convince the ASA that he is a 'registered dealer'?

The only problem is that the ASA have to give C. Ash & Sons a chance to respond, but how can they do that when no-one knows their real address?

mrputney08

I only give the time of day to a company with a landline, a registered address for business and a good solid reputation, wherever possible. Only if I am sure and have proof that bad practice is going on will I pursue through the appropriate channels. Delcare any money you give a company as part of your tax return too where at all possible so that if the tax man ever calls on you the tax man he knows yours and their records are up-to-date.

Paul_Varjak

There are regulations that do prevent cold-callers: The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 but to be effective, the householder needs to inform cold callers personally not to cold call (a mere sticker on the door is insufficient).

Trading Standards have also advised me that I really need to do this in writing and get proof of delivery! One small problem - I don't have Portsmouth Trading Company's address because they use a false address! Isn't that Wonderful???!!!!

Paul_Varjak

After intervention by Trading Standards, Portsmouth Trading Company have agreed not to use any false address on their advertising literature.

In future, Portsmouth Trading Company will be using a P.O. Box address.

Tangible

The sensitivity over disclosing their real location is a good enough reason why people shouldn't entertain discussing the gold they own with strangers who knock on their door.

Paul_Varjak

Tangible wrote: »

The sensitivity over disclosing their real location is a good enough reason why people shouldn't entertain discussing the gold they own with strangers who knock on their door.

Also why you should never deal with anyone advertising in Yellow Pages who does not have an address and a land-line number!