Which? the consumer watchdog, has launched a Trusted Trader scheme.
Which? Trusted Traders is aimed at giving the consumer confidence in the trades they engage.
Speaking on the Landscape Juice Network, Stephen McCluskey, Managing Director, Which? Trusted Traders, said:
Which? Trusted Traders is part of Which Ltd. which publishes Which? Magazine. Which? has a long established position in assessing and endorsing products and the move to assessing businesses for the benefit of the consumer is consistent with this.
You are right [in answer to a question about the existing Buy With Confidence scheme] that there are similarities with BWC. Certainly, the core aim of giving confidence to the consumer is identical. We're going about it in a slightly different way and we aim to really market the programme to raise the profile reputable traders and help them grow their businesses.
I spoke to Stephen this week and he told me it isn't Which's intention to muscle in on the landscape industry, as their scheme covers all the trades that a consumer would tend to employ, but because Which? as an independent brand, is synonymous with consumer confidence, the directors at Which? see an opportunity in the market.
Assessing the business but not the businesses skills
Before a business can be inducted into the Trusted Trader scheme, Which? will send an assessor round to a business to ascertain whether the business is fit and proper. Significantly, Which? Trusted Traders will not be measuring the proficiency and skills that any business may possess in their respective industry niche.
Speaking from a personal perspective I have to say I am impressed that Stephen can take the time out to come on to an industry forum and get involved in the conversation. If that philosophy is carried forward I'm sure Which? Trusted Traders has every chance of success.
Which? Trusted Traders doesn't come cheap (£40.00 a month) if added to various other consumer and professional accredited schemes landscape professionals might be members of but, surely, any endorsement by Which? may well prove to be a significant additions to a trader's marketing?
Website: www.trustedtraders.which.co.uk
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