Gardener scam warning following a recent incident

The borough-wide warning follows an incident in Hayes and other reports in Chislehurst and Bickley. Rather than dealing with doorstep traders, the advice is to find a trusted trader for any work required, including getting a proper quote.

In the Hayes example, an elderly resident had three men show up unannounced offering gardening services at the door. After a discussion, the resident had agreed to having the gardening work done for £180.

The gardeners trimmed some bushes for a short period and told the resident upon leaving that it would be £380. When the resident questioned the traders, referring to the agreed price of £180, they accepted the original price instead.

Whatever services are being offered at the door, it is important to note that, when dealing with doorstep traders, there is a risk of receiving poor quality work, being substantially overcharged, and difficulty to get any redress or comeback.

Follow the advice below for what to do when dealing with doorstep traders, and consider using Bromley’s Trading Standards Checked to find a safe and trustworthy trader:

DON’T:

• Don’t deal with traders at the door – it’s okay to say NO
• Don’t contact traders via leaflets that are delivered through the door – without making thorough checks beforehand
• Don’t pay large sums of money in advance – schedule payment as works progress
• Don’t assume rubbish removal is included
• Don’t accept that traders are members of an organisation because they use a logo
• Don’t be rushed into deciding – seek advice first from someone you trust

DO:

• Do get several written quotes – prepare a clear detailed brief beforehand
• Do seek references, read reliable reviews, ask to visit previous jobs
• Do check directly with any reputable organisation named or whose logo is shown on a leaflet/website to make sure the trader is affiliated – if not, report to Bromley Trading Standards
• Do get a contract in writing before works commence. Check the T&Cs. You should be entitled to a 14-day cooling off period – with full written cancellation information and not just a mention on a leaflet or a tick box to say you agree
• Do check and verify a trader’s insurance

Report

If you, a neighbour, or someone else is being affected by rogue traders call 07903 852090

Contact Citizens Advice for help and advice on 0808 223 1133

You can also visit the scams page on the council website for more information

Visit the RHS website for advice on hiring gardeners and contractors