A Foot In The Door Can Be The Road To Ruin |
12 November 2002 |
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As part of National Consumer Week (11 - 16 November) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is highlighting problems that can arise when dealing with door to door salespeople. The theme of this year's National Consumer Week is A Foot in the Door and focuses on providing consumers with help and advice so they can make the right choice when buying goods and services from home or when approached on the doorstep. Advice is also available on phone sales. An exhibition is being held in Stornoway library and leaflets are being distributed for elderly people highlighting some of the potential pitfalls and advising on rights of consumers. A particular problem in the Western Isles has been with gangs of workmen offering to tarmac drives. They rarely give a name or contact address and often use underhand methods to get people to part with their money. A Comhairle spokesperson said: “Don’t agree to any work
on the basis of a verbal quote. If you need work on your drive,
shop around and get written quotes from 2 or 3 local companies,
on headed paper with full contact details. Watch out too for offers
of other work such as gardening, roofing, painting and guttering
- the same advice applies. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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