Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, November 21, 2008

"Be a savvy shopper this Christmas" is the theme for this year's National Consumer Week (17-21 November) and if you are looking for good customer service then help is at hand.

To find a company you can rely on, the advice from Devon County Council Trading Standards Service is to look for businesses who are members of the Buy With Confidence scheme. Around 300 businesses in Devon are currently members of the scheme.

Buy With Confidence is rapidly becoming THE approved Trader scheme in England, and 24 local authorities are currently running the scheme, with seven more due to launch in 2009. The scheme is open to all types of businesses and current members include everything from builders to garages, and hotels to electrical goods retailers.

Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade said: "The main focus of the scheme is customer care. Before they can join the scheme and use the Buy With Confidence logo, members have to demonstrate that as well as operating in a legal and fair way, they offer customer-friendly service. So the message is simple - if you're looking for a good local business which cares about its customers then keep your eyes open for the Buy With Confidence logo."

Prospective members receive a trading standards assessment to check compliance with trading standards legislation, and to ensure that appropriate customer service procedures are in place.

Devon County Council Trading Standards Service Special Projects Officer, Dolores Riordan, said: "If a business meets the criteria they can apply to become members of the scheme and must then abide by the scheme's code of practice. In return, members are allowed to display the distinctive Buy With Confidence logo and receive a certificate of membership - allowing them to promote their reputation as a business which cares about its customers."

Feedback forms are provided for customers of Buy With Confidence members to tell us about their experience, and some of the comments about businesses that have made a lasting impression include:

"Efficient, pleasant and a first class job at a reasonable price."

"Small shop with superb range and very helpful. A real asset to the community."

"Very good - nothing is too much trouble, professional, honest and highly recommended."

Alternatively, if you know of a business which offers great customer service and deserves to be nominated for membership of the scheme then this can also be done using the contact details below.

For further information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or call 01392 381381.

If you have experienced a problem with goods or services you have bought from any business, you can get consumer advice from Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. Further advice and information for consumers and businesses on a range of trading standards issues is available on www.devon.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Notes for editors:

For more information from Devon County Council Trading Standards Service, contact Dolores Riordan on 01392 382728.

Consumer Direct South West is a government funded organisation dedicated to giving consumer advice to members of the public, and information sharing with Trading Standards services.

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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