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April 2024 April 2024
ACTIVE RETIREMENT DORSET TRADING STANDARDS

In 2008, I decided that it was time to go,
to let others take on the wonderful task of Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service check and
developing and reinvigorating the RNLI. I approve businesses so you don’t have to.
received a medal from the US Coast
Guard marking my service, and retreated For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or
to do some consultancy work, and much call 08454 040506.
local stuff in Bere Regis! To report or seek advice about problems you have
experienced when dealing with a trader call 08454 040506.
Soldier, sailor, pilot, Arabist, businessman,
fundraiser, charity project manager. I
have had the most interesting and varied Website checks to clean up e-commerce
working life possible. And it was made Dorset Council Trading Standards have helped with national checks on websites
possible only because of the security of for businesses offering renovation and repair work. The checks found that
our home base, created and sustained nationally, the vast majority of websites for these trade types, don’t comply with
by a loving and supportive wife and the law.
family. Thank you, Di!
97% of 184 websites did not comply with relevant consumer protection law.

85% of websites did not comply with three or more laws.
14% failed to comply with six or more laws.
The Trading Standards profession is concerned that this lack of basic information,
such as business contact details, may make it much harder for people to get
things put right, or get a refund if things go wrong.
The checks also found websites failing to display company registration numbers. A
registration number provides potential buyers with more certainty around the
legitimacy of a company. This is even more important given that copycat and
scam websites can exist.
Most businesses checked also
failed to mention whether
cancellation rights existed.
Such omissions can potentially
turn customers away, affecting
a business’ reputation and
profits.
This year the national checks
focused on the Home
M a i n t e n a n c e S e c t o r .
Businesses of all sizes were
included in the check; small
and large, local and national.
Websites were checked for
electricians, general builders,

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