Become a Trusted Trader

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What's in it for my business?

• Renfrewshire Council's Trading Standards team will promote the scheme to local consumers through the council's website and other promotions.
• Many consumers use customer reference schemes like Trusted Traders as a source of impartial advice when they are looking for local businesses.
• Being a member of Trusted Traders is a good way of showing potential customers that you are a reputable, reliable business.
• When you join, we will provide you with marketing materials that you can use at your premises and on vehicles and stationery to show potential customers that you are a member of the scheme.
• You will receive support from Renfrewshire Council's Trading Standards team to help you to understand and comply with consumer protection legislation.

Because Renfrewshire Trusted Trader Scheme relies on member businesses being honest and reputable, members must agree to abide by the terms and conditions and show that they have a responsible and sensible attitude to conducting business. All members’ business practices and customer feedback will be monitored by the Trading Standards team.

Dundee City Council have been running a similar Trusted Trader scheme for over 6 years. The traders who signed up were asked to comment on the scheme:

• 93% said that membership of the scheme helped their business.
• 87% said that membership attracted new customers.
• 78% claimed their increase in new customers was between 10-30%.

How much will it cost?

To join the scheme, you will have to pay an annual membership fee of £200 + VAT. Your fee will go towards the costs of operating the scheme, such as maintaining the online database and feedback system and ongoing advertising and promotion to the public.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in joining the scheme, please read the terms and conditions document and then complete the application form:

Terms and Conditions (pdf - 216Kb)

Application Form (pdf - 324Kb)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. Download Acrobat Reader here.

When we receive your application, we will check your company's suitability by:

• analysing any complaint data or information we hold on your business
• obtaining comments from previous customers on your trading practices, and
• examining documentation used by your business when entering into customer contracts to ensure that it complies with consumer protection legislation.

You can return the application form to us at the address below or email a copy to ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk:

Environmental Services
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1BR

If you'd like to speak to someone about the scheme, you can call Renfrewshire Trading Standards on 0141 840 3184.

Thanks to Dundee City Council, on whose Trusted Trader scheme this is based.