Launch Of Doorstoppers

Efforts to combat rogue traders in the Western Isles were given a boost today with the launch of a new scheme – Doorstoppers.

The campaign aims to highlight and help prevent the problem of rogue traders who prey on vulnerable groups of consumers, particularly the elderly and those who live alone.

Not all doorstop callers are genuine traders and they sometimes use pressure selling tactics to rush consumers into a purchase which is later regretted.  Doorstoppers aims to give consumers the confidence to reject such tactics and to know their rights.

Doorstop packs are being distributed to all households in the Western Isles. The packs include a summary of consumers’ rights, stickers, cards and information on dealing with unwanted sales persons.

Present at the campaign launch was Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan who said: “"I am delighted to be launching this new initiative in the Western Isles. The Trading Standards section of the Comhairle, along with their partners, the Northern Constabulary and Faire the Community Careline, are to be congratulated for the launch of the Doorstoppers campaign. This campaign will ensure that vulnerable people are not targeted by rogue doorstep traders.

A Comhairle spokesperson said: “it is hoped that the scheme will give people the confidence to say No to rogue traders and cold callers and that unwanted sellers get the message they are not welcome”.

The  Doorstoppers project is run by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Trading Standards Section with partners Faire and the Northern Constabulary.  Funding for the project (£ 3K) came from a successful bid  by Trading Standards earlier this year to the Western Isles Community Safety Partnership. A further grant of £3k was received from the Western Isles Consumer Support network.

Doorstoppers Web Pages