RESIDENTS of Swiss Valley are being advised to be aware of traders cold calling to offer landscaping services.
Carmarthenshire County Council Trading Standards Service is concerned that people have been agreeing to work without being given any paperwork and traders have been taking money upfront before doing any work.
Trading Standards officers are warning householders not to make any payments to traders who cold call.
Trading Standards recently arranged for leaflets to be distributed to houses in Llanelli following a spate of serious incidents.
The leaflet gives advice such as always asking for paperwork including the full name and address of the business, seeking alternative quotes, asking to see public liability insurance and if appropriate a waste carrier licence, and clearly sends a message that money must never be handed over before the work is complete. Customers must be given written notice of a seven day cooling off period.
Executive board member for public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “I would urge householders to take care when traders call at the door uninvited. The message is – do not pay when asked for money even for the smallest job.
“We want people to have the courage to refuse making on the spot decisions. They should always contact a reputable trader and obtain quotes.”
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