Angus Reputable Traders Scheme (ARTS)
What is the Angus Reputable Trader Scheme?
This scheme has been introduced by Angus Council's Trading Standards Service with the cooperation of Tayside Police and the Federation of Small Businesses. The intention is to establish the highest standards of commercial behaviour by businesses in Angus.
The scheme has been set up to give recognition to those who trade fairly and marginalise the rogues that give sole traders, small businesses and the trade sector as a whole a bad reputation. The scheme aims to do this by compiling a list of traders in Angus who have been audited by the Trading Standards Service. The idea is that consumers should look first to the Angus Reputable Trader Scheme to find the trader they need.
How does it work?
The scheme works by promoting its members. When you join the scheme, you will be supplied with:
- A certificate (updated annually)
- Promotional items (Pens, pencils, mug, notepads and other items)
- Window stickers (for all business premises and vehicles)
- All relevant information (copies of the Code of Practice, complaints procedure, contact details etc)
- A folder to keep all your A.R.T.S. information together
Your business will be added to our database of reputable traders, the scheme website and the Referenceline website. Customer feedback will be available for viewing via the Referenceline website. The Trading Standards Service will promote the scheme and the logo so that consumers become fully aware that if they want a reputable trader they should look to A.R.T.S.
Want to find out more?
- Email traderscheme@angus.gov.uk for information and an application form
- Telephone 01241 435600 for enquiries, information and application form
- View the Code of Practice (450KB PDF)
Why should consumers use traders who are members of the scheme?
Everyone is at risk from rogue traders. These are people who pose as property maintenance workers, gardeners and builders offering a number of services to residents. Work is often left incomplete or of a poor standard. They often ask for cash up front. Rogue traders are also hard to track down once they have left.
Angus Council will only let traders who have been vetted onto the list. The Trading Standards Service will visit business premises to check they are who they say they are. The trading standards database will be checked for any complaints made against the applicant business.
By becoming a member of the scheme, businesses will voluntarily sign up to a code of practice which ensures they operate their business in a fair and honest manner and comply with legislation.
Traders who are part of the scheme will not just disappear like many rogue traders. If there happens to be a dispute, we will work with both the trader and consumer to have this resolved.
From your Angus Reputable Trader, you can expect:
- Full disclosure of call out charges
- Written quotations and written schedules of work
- To be consulted when the quotation price is likely to change
- To be consulted when the work schedule is likely to change
- To receive a friendly, reasonably priced aftercare service