Warning from Coventry City Council's Trading Standards (Extract from e-m to Cllr. D. Skinner, Westwood April ‘10)

Dear Cllr Skinner

Coventry City Council's Trading Standards team are warning Coventry residents to be on their guard after a smartly dressed man visited homes in Allesley trying to sell double glazing. He claimed the Council was monitoring houses for energy efficiency and would take action against people whose homes were not up to standard.

The middle-aged, tall man offered householders a quote for double glazing their house telling the householder that they could get into trouble because the windows that were fitted less than two years ago were not up to standard. When confronted, the man quickly left the area.

Mike Lynn, of Coventry Trading Standards, said: "It's clear from what has been reported to us that this person is using underhand tactics to entice consumers into contracts. I would urge anyone who receives a similar call not to do business with them and to let us know immediately by contacting Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06."

Trading Standards offer the following advice:

* If you enter into a contract on your doorstep you are entitled to receive written cancellation rights with a cooling off period (seven days) during which you can legally change your mind.

* If the contract begins before the end of the cooling off period then you need to sign the paperwork to say you agree to the work beginning and thereby waive your rights to the cooling off period.

Mike Lynn continued: "The law also prohibits 'aggressive practices' such as where a trader tries to intimidate or exploit consumers or misleads them, restricting their ability to make free or informed choices. Whilst the City Council would encourage householders to use energy more efficiently we would certainly not compel them to have new double glazing."

Since 2002, under Building Regulations in England & Wales, new and replacement windows must meet certain energy efficiency requirements so if you have had windows installed after this you should have been given a certificate from your installer or Local Authority confirming that the installation meets relevant standards.

If you are suspicious of anyone who calls at your home, or contacts you by phone, call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. Ends.

For more information please contact Mike Lynn of Coventry Trading Standards on 02476 834930

Given below is the information tat appeared on the home page in connection with this letter;

Warning
A resident has had a bad experience with a cold-call tradesman representing Edwin Jones T/A Property Services of 40 Walter Scott Road, Bedworth.

The resident writes of the representative:

"Very persistent, pugnacious and bullying. Keeps talking at you till you give in, then does not do what was agreed. To get what was agreed he has to have a 20 minute argument with you. Also he asked for cash and did not give a receipt. His only reason given for his behaviour was 'he was a salesman'."

On 6 October 2010 the Coventry Telegraph reported : "A rogue workman has been fined almost £5000 after trying to rip off a woman terminally ill with cancer. Edwin Jones, trading as E & J Property Maintenance of Walter Scott Road, Bedworth, pleaded guilty to two counts of making misleading statements and one of failing to give cancellation rights when he appeared at Rugby Magistrates Court."

Click for the full report

For related reports see IcCoventry, WCC, and Nuneaton News.