Fair trading 

Bolton Trading Standards are at the front line of consumer and business protection. We deal with issues which affect everyone such as falsely described or counterfeit goods, under age sales, loan sharks, misleading prices and uninvited 'doorstep sellers'. 

It can be an offence to engage in a trading practice that is unfair and affects the decision of a consumer. Such practices include misleading or aggressive actions.

We are committed to working with business to:

• Help businesses to understand and comply with regulations and reduce unnecessary red tape where possible,
• Ensure that businesses compete with one another on level terms.

Any Bolton business requiring more detailed information about their obligations can contact Trading Standards using the details on the Contacts tab.

Cold calling and doorstep sales advice

Trading Standards strongly advise residents to be cautious when a trader cold calls and NOT to sign up to anything there and then. The doorstep is not the place to make such decisions. If interested, you can ask for details to be left and then carry out your own research.

Ignore any sales pressure to make an immediate decision.

You always need to check out claims. Some traders have been known to inflate their own prices and then apply their own discounts but describe it as a 'grant'.

It is a criminal offence to mislead consumers or to use aggressive sales tactics.

In addition, if a trader fails to leave after being requested to do so then this could also be an offence, as could making misleading claims about being linked to the Council or other official body.

If you have any questions, feel you have been misled, or to report any instances of unfair, illegal or aggresive trading you can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506, or use the link on the Links tab.  

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