Cold Calling Advice

To do work for you

Whilst it is not an offence to cold call, we would like to remind residents that if they are thinking of having work done then Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards recommend the following simple steps:

  1. Do NOT agree to have work carried out by a trader who calls to your home uninvited.
  2. If you are thinking of having work carried out, get at least two and if possible three written quotations – this way you can check if the price is reasonable.
  3. Ensure you know the identity of who you are contracting with – check their paperwork for an address and make sure it exists!  Do NOT contract with someone who refuses to supply this information.
  4. If you do agree any work, Do NOT let them start the work straight away, unless the work is an emergency.
  5. Do NOT make payment until the work is completed and you are happy with it.
  6. Avoid paying by cash.

You should receive a 14 day notice of your right to cancel the contract before the work begins.  You are entitled to cancel the contract without penalty and obtain a refund for any money you have paid in advance, within the 14 days.

To sell you something

If cold callers are aggressive or make threats or try to sell items without the required door-to-door trade certificate, then you should report the incident to the police on 101 and/or your local Trading Standards team.

Do NOT allow yourself to be pressured into buying items from cold callers.

Cheshire Police force’s advice for residents targeted by cold callers is:

  1. Do NOT open your door to strangers – you should use your door chain, if you have one, when answering the door.
  2. If you do not have a door chain ask the caller who they are through the door before opening it – if you do NOT know them and are NOT expecting them then do NOT open the door.
  3. If a cold caller tries to sell you something, ask to see their pedlar’s certificate – if they do NOT have one they are breaking the law by selling items door-to-door.  Report doorstep sellers operating without a pedlar’s certificate to Trading Standards and also to the police, particularly if the cold caller acts in an aggressive or threatening manner.
  4. If you do not want to buy items from a cold caller simply tell them that and go back into your house – NEVER let yourself be pressured into buying something that you do not want and never let a cold caller into your home.