What exactly is the APL playing at these days? I just can't fathom them out.
APL Chairman Mark Gregory was on the telly again this week but it was supposed to be undercover: although it wasn't!
In a rather bizarre episode of BBC's Don't get done, get Dom 18 April, Gregory appeared as a mystery landscape expert with a disguised voice and hidden face.
The BBC hid Gregory's identity and gave some limp explanation about protection where as the HTA boasted he was aappearing on the programme.
Anyone who knows Mark will immediately recognise it as him but one wonders what the purpose of the secrecy was? Here's the HTA press release giving the game away in advance of the programme.
"Mark will also be appearing on "Don't Get Done, Get Dom" as an advisor. This will be shown on Wednesday 18 April at 11am on BBC 1."
Of course I agree that the consumer should check the credentials of anyone they employ but the APL's fixation with rogue traders is getting tedious.
A rogue trader isn't a landscaper or a gardener but a crook; crooks operate in walks of life. What we need to do as an industry is promote the positives and let the police and trading standards take care of the rest.
A rogue trader is not a landscaper though but to the eyes of some members of the general public they sure look like experienced professionals. That is why they still get away with what they do. The chap in BBC Rogue Traders had over 50 complaints against him to trading standards and nothing was really being done about it. If we can get just one of these rogues behind bars or at least make the public aware of their rip off tactics then that can only be a good thing.
To say Mark is more concerned about his media career than promoting the landscape industry is rediculous. If you saw how hard he works even you Phil would feel slightly guilty about that that statement.
Posted by: Paul | Apr 20, 2012 at 07:39 AM
Paul
At Landscape Juice I have gone to great pains to point out to the consumer ways of choosing the right person or firm to carry out their landscaping project.
A consumer who employs a rogue trader just hasn't done enough homework I'm afraid. The APL shouldn't be concerned about rogue traders IMO.
BTW no one's called into question Mark Gregory's work ethic.
Posted by: Philip Voice | Apr 20, 2012 at 08:32 AM
I question the 'promotion of the landscape industry' that Mark Gregory, The HTA, APL or BALI and any others carry out. Yes rogue traders are a massive problem dealt with by the BBC and others for 'entertainment' and Mark and others are dragged along with it under the guise of 'promotion' whilst in fact it is just promoting their own businesses designed to make money from smaller businesses who REALLY NEED HELP AT THE MOMENT! I have not renewed my APL memebership and do not plan to support anymore trade assistance schemes in whatever form because they have achieved nothing at all.
At the end of the day we are reliant on our customers to trust us as individual businesses and this needs no stamp of approval or online reference.
Posted by: George | Apr 20, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Phil you have changed the first two paragraphs of the blog, again! You did this on another post I commented on once before!
To prove this point George who has just replied to this post quotes what was said and it's now not there!
Posted by: Paul | Apr 20, 2012 at 01:34 PM
There's more than a touch or sickly irony that this piece with Mark Gregory is telling potential clients to do their research and learn as much about the contractor before hiring him...all while completely hidden and disguised!
I think it's just a matter of time before members realise the committee are getting all this free publicity at their expense and kick them off or leave and let the organisation fade away.
Posted by: Phil Voice | Apr 24, 2012 at 09:14 AM