Limitations
Before admission to the scheme, businesses are subject to rigorous vetting, which includes background checks, a visit to their premises from a Trading Standards professional, customer references, and criminal record checks (if they work in or around their customers’ homes). Only if they meet Buy With Confidence’s strict standards will they be listed on this website.
Afterwards, businesses are monitored, not just by feedback left by customers on this site, but also through Trading Standards services having access to databases which can help see whether problems are arising within a business, as well as by other means.
While our procedures ensure we have an exceptionally low levels of complaints against our members, we cannot guarantee there will never be an issue, and there are also limits on the assurance we can give. However, if you do have a problem with a Buy With Confidence member that they cannot/will not sort out, we can work with you and the business to hopefully come to an amicable solution.
Limitations of the Scheme
The Buy With Confidence Scheme is concerned primarily with the customer service procedures of a business. It should not be considered an assurance of any other aspect of that organisation’s business. Please be aware that there are some limitations to what Buy With Confidence can achieve, in particular we do not:
· Guarantee the financial status of any business
· Accept any liability for any goods or services provided by any business
· Guarantee the quality or condition of any goods or services provided by any business
· Guarantee that the price of goods and services supplied is competitive relative to any other business
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that members comply with the law we cannot guarantee that their work will never give rise to a complaint. However, should this be the case, any difficulties should be dealt with fairly and without undue delay.
If you buy goods or services from any of the members currently listed on our website, we hope that your experience will be positive and we encourage you to leave feedback to let us know your views. You can do this online on our contact us web page.
Choosing a Buy With Confidence business
The web site lists business contact details, the goods and services they provide and, in some cases, their qualifications and membership of statutory bodies such as Gas Safe.
When choosing a business, particularly when arranging a service, you should satisfy yourself that you both agree what work is to be done and the price that is to be paid. You should obtain more than one quote and choose the business you are most happy with. Clearly the price is important but it is not the only factor you should take into consideration.
Complaints
It is a requirement of the scheme that consumer rights are observed. If there is a problem with the goods or services you are buying, please let the business concerned know as soon as possible so that a solution may be found.
If you do not receive a response or remain unhappy please contact us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 who should provide you with initial advice and pass your details onto the Trading Standards Service for the area where you live.
Although we are not a party to the agreement between you and the seller, and will not be able to compensate you, we are able to offer assistance in resolving disputes if they should arise. Where appropriate, we may also take appropriate disciplinary action if the terms of membership have been breached. If needed, you can make a complaint via this website.
Business Users
Every reasonable effort is taken to ensure that the information on this site is accurate. If you become aware of any errors, omissions or information which requires amendment, please notify us as soon as possible.
Please note that none of the Local Authorities participating in the Buy With Confidence Scheme shall be liable to you for any indirect or consequential loss (whether for loss of profit, loss of business, depletion of goodwill or otherwise), costs, expense or other claims for consequential compensation whatsoever (howsoever caused) which arise out of or in connection with your use of this and any linked web site.
Using BWC
The Buy With Confidence scheme and vetting process are designed with consumer protection in mind, and the scheme is not a list of business approved to tender for Local Authority contracts. If you are a local authority who is considering using a member of the Buy With Confidence Scheme, please make sure you are first satisfied that your own Authority’s requirements are met before proceeding (for example, minimum insurance cover levels, levels of criminal records disclosure, etc.).
We are confident in our systems, and in our members, and hope that local authorities will recognise the Buy With Confidence logo as an indicator of the business’ commitment to fair trading. However, the Buy With Confidence vetting system is not intended to replace any diligence steps which would ordinarily take place during the tendering process. Accordingly, no liability can be accepted by the scheme or its administrators for use of scheme members by local authorities – this includes, but is not limited to, third party claims arising from such use.
Please contact us if you have any queries.