Trading Standards

Jojo59

Is there a reason why Trading Standards wont help in one county by will in another? Having had a elderly relative that's been scammed by a trades person, which has been reported to every known official body through the correct channels. His county TS has not responded at all. Having done a little investigation into said trades person I found another person who has been scammed in exactly the same way but his TS has taken the trader to court. What really is the TS role when they wont even acknowledge any communications.  

Manxman_in_exile

I worked in the TS department of X County Council as a trainee inspector back in the 1980s.  In those days it was possible for members of the public to raise consumer complaints and issues directly with TS.  I am told that this is no longer possible and consumer complaints have to be referred via CAB.

In the 1980s, if a resident of X county complained to us about a trader in Y county, we would refer them to the TS department of Y County Council.  Whether the TS department of Y County Council cared about complaints from a resident of X county I have no idea - but I suspect they didn't.

But that was over 30 years ago.  Whether it's better now I don't know.

PS - I don't know what the role of TS is now, but I was not impressed by them in the 1980s.

Diamandis

They simply dont have the resources to deal with every member of the public that has a complaint against a company. Trading standards taking someone to court isn't likely to benefit the consumer, if you want to take legal action then you can do that separately. 

Jojo59

Diamandis said:

They simply dont have the resources to deal with every member of the public that has a complaint against a company. Trading standards taking someone to court isn't likely to benefit the consumer, if you want to take legal action then you can do that separately. 

Obviously I realise they can't deal with every single complaint and of course a TS taking somebody to court would benefit the consumer you're taking a rogue trader of the 'street' so to speak. Its part of their role to prosecute if somebody is breaking the law. 

Jojo59

Manxman_in_exile said:

I worked in the TS department of X County Council as a trainee inspector back in the 1980s.  In those days it was possible for members of the public to raise consumer complaints and issues directly with TS.  I am told that this is no longer possible and consumer complaints have to be referred via CAB.

In the 1980s, if a resident of X county complained to us about a trader in Y county, we would refer them to the TS department of Y County Council.  Whether the TS department of Y County Council cared about complaints from a resident of X county I have no idea - but I suspect they didn't.

But that was over 30 years ago.  Whether it's better now I don't know.

PS - I don't know what the role of TS is now, but I was not impressed by them in the 1980s.

You're correct you have to go via the CAB  - IMHO it depends which TS is willing to do something about it.  Appreciate your comments 

Sandtree

Jojo59 said:

Diamandis said:

They simply dont have the resources to deal with every member of the public that has a complaint against a company. Trading standards taking someone to court isn't likely to benefit the consumer, if you want to take legal action then you can do that separately. 

Obviously I realise they can't deal with every single complaint and of course a TS taking somebody to court would benefit the consumer you're taking a rogue trader of the 'street' so to speak. Its part of their role to prosecute if somebody is breaking the law. 

But you say the other TS has already taken the trades person to court so either they are already "off the street" and nothing more to be gained or the court action is ineffective and therefore likely to be so again.

The route to TS is via CAB who act as their filtering service

bris

TS don't act for individual complaints. But if a company get more than their fair share of complaints then they will be seen as serial scammers big enough to warrant an investigation.

So it's possible that the one they took to court was on their radar.

Pollycat

Jojo59 said:

Is there a reason why Trading Standards wont help in one county by will in another? Having had a elderly relative that's been scammed by a trades person, which has been reported to every known official body through the correct channels. His county TS has not responded at all. Having done a little investigation into said trades person I found another person who has been scammed in exactly the same way but his TS has taken the trader to court. What really is the TS role when they wont even acknowledge any communications.  

What was the result?
And what exactly are you looking for (regarding your elderly relative)?

macman

You don't need TS to prosecute, you or your relative can simply use the small claims process. Informing TS if you think the trader is a serial offender can still be done, but on a 'just for information' basis.

Jojo59

Pollycat said:

Jojo59 said:

Is there a reason why Trading Standards wont help in one county by will in another? Having had a elderly relative that's been scammed by a trades person, which has been reported to every known official body through the correct channels. His county TS has not responded at all. Having done a little investigation into said trades person I found another person who has been scammed in exactly the same way but his TS has taken the trader to court. What really is the TS role when they wont even acknowledge any communications.  

What was the result?
And what exactly are you looking for (regarding your elderly relative)?

The result so far is ... X TS have taken the trader to court there is another court hearing in the summer - So trader is still working. My relative's TS - lets say Y TS (obviously via CAB) has not responded to any correspondence (as I've stated) but in the meantime its been found out that the trader has scammed somebody in Z TS area - who again has not responded. I appreciate any TS can't always look at individual cases but 2 TS's who know about X TS's actions do nothing? I would have thought that if the TS's communicated with each other (maybe they do? ) joining forces would possibly insure a larger sentence/fine for the  trader rather than a possible slap on the wrist. Relative is aware it is extremely unlikely they will see any money returned but a hefty sentence might help.

Manxman_in_exile

       

You obviously don't understand how neighbouring county councils work!  Of course they are in communication with each other but... 

If X TS are already taking action against the rogue trader, why would Y and Z want to do so as well?  It just creates additional unnecessary work for them.  In your example X TS have simply drawn the short straw and have to do their job for a change.