Advantages for your Business

• The name of your business will be on a list made available to consumers by Devon County Council Trading Standards Service. This list will also be accessible on our Website.
• You will be able to use membership of the Scheme to promote your reputation as a business, which cares about its customers.
• The Trading Standards Service will carry out promotional activities in order to raise awareness of the Scheme.
• You will be able to advertise that you have been accepted as a member of the Scheme.
• You will receive a certificate of membership and a window sticker to display on your business premises.
• You will receive a full audit on trading standards issues, carried out by an officer of this Service.
• On joining the Scheme you will receive an information pack, which will include leaflets regarding the law relevant to your business. You will also receive updates regarding new legislation.
• The Trading Standards Service will offer relevant training seminars to members.
• You will be given a dedicated e-mail address should you need to contact us for advice or information. We will respond within three working days.
• If you have a dispute with a customer we will give you advice on your and their rights and, if necessary, offer a free mediation service.

Your Responsibilities

• To abide by all criminal legislation.
• To comply with all relevant civil law obligations and with the Scheme's Code of Practice.
• To trade fairly and provide a quality service to customers.
• To deal with customers in a polite and courteous manner at all times.
• To co-operate, where necessary, with the mediation process of the Scheme.
• To notify the Trading Standards Service of any significant change to the business. For example, a change in the nominated representative or change of ownership.
• To co-operate fully with the initial audit and any subsequent audits carried out by the Trading Standards Service.
• Not to place advertisements indicating membership of the Scheme where the duration of the advertisement exceeds one year.

Cost

• For new members joining this year (April 2007 - March 2008) membership fees will be:

           1-5 employees       £   50 + VAT

           6-20 employees     £   75 + VAT

           21+ employees       £100 + VAT

Safeguards

• The CustomerFirst scheme is concerned primarily with the customer service procedures of a business. Membership must not be used to imply an assurance of any other aspect of your business.
• Once you have been accepted, your membership will be renewed automatically unless it is considered that you have breached the spirit of the Scheme or failed to pay any membership fees due.
• If it is thought that the situation demands it, your membership may be withdrawn at any time. Certificates and window stickers will remain the property of Devon County Council Trading Standards Service.

Appeal Procedure

If your initial application is refused we will tell you why and offer advice on how to make your application a successful one. If we are considering revocation of your membership we will discuss the reasons with you and, if your membership is subsequently revoked, we will tell you how to appeal.

Trading Standards Service CustomerFirst

The Sign of a Caring Business