[C]umbria Trading Standards are warning both the farming community and local residents to look out for doorstep callers after an incident was reported in the Penrith and Tebay area on 3 February 2018.
Individuals are visiting farms and offering tarmac for sale stating that they have “left overs” after working on the local highway. Trading Standards advice is to always say ‘NO’ to any cold callers and we ask that you look out for elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.
Consumers should be extremely cautious when approached by any doorstep callers offering to sell goods or conduct work on their property. These types of callers often use persuasive or aggressive tactics to get people to agree to have work carried out and then charge far more than was quoted for poor quality work or goods.
They often fail to provide a legally required cancellation notice which enables the householder to cancel the work within a statutory fourteen day cooling off period.
If you have been called in this way and require further advice, or want to report the matter, Trading Standards can be contacted via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or by visiting www.adviceguide.org.uk
