Find an approved trader
Buy With Confidence is an approved trader scheme which has been set up to assist residents to find reputable local businesses.
Visit the Buy With Confidence website to find a trading standards approved trader.
Become a Buy With Confidence Scheme Member
Apply online to become a Scheme Member.
In response to concerns about 'rogue traders' which are often highlighted in the media, a partnership of Local Authority Trading Standards Services have taken a ground-breaking step by putting together the Buy With Confidence Scheme.
The scheme provides consumers with a list of local businesses which have given their commitment to trading fairly. Every business listed has undergone a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme.
Buy With Confidence is run through the cooperation of a number of Trading Standards Services and in order to become a Buy With Confidence member, a business must first apply or be recommended to join the scheme and must then pass a set of tailored background checks. Membership of the scheme is not given lightly - amongst other checks, each applicant will have their complaints history reviewed and will receive a visit from Trading Standards.
Good references are required from previous customers and applicants must agree to abide by the scheme's code of conduct, which requires them to follow the letter and spirit of the law. Criminal records basic disclosure may also be required in some circumstances.
Only if all the scheme requirements are met, will a business be granted membership, and their conduct will continue to be monitored thereafter. We cannot promise that Buy With Confidence members' work will be perfect every time, but you can expect any problems to be dealt with fairly by the business, and you can turn to Trading Standards for advice in the event of an unresolved issue.
All prospective members are thoroughly vetted by Trading Standards staff before being invited to join the scheme. The performance of members of the scheme is continuously monitored via the Citizen's Advice Consumer Service and through customer feedback submitted directly to Buy With Confidence.
In the unlikely event that concerns are raised about a member we take appropriate action and if necessary will remove them from the scheme.