Trusted Trader scheme

Our Trusted Trader scheme lets customers give feedback on traders. Potential customers can read the feedback and good feedback will generate more business for the trader. We'll give you customer feedback cards to give to your customers, which they can send to us to add to your Trusted Trader profile.

You must be based in Dumfries and Galloway, or be able to prove that the majority of your business is done in Dumfries and Galloway. The scheme is monitored by our Trading Standards service.

The scheme is mainly aimed at home improvement traders, but other business sectors are welcome to apply. To join, your business must have:

• been trading for six months
• public liability insurance
• evidence of any relevant experience or qualifications you advertise
• had no significant customer complaints

Apply to become a Trusted Trader

Benefits for your business

The benefits for your business include:

• we'll promote the scheme to local consumers on our website, social media, local press and other forms of promotion
• being a member of the scheme shows potential customers that you are a reputable, reliable business
• we'll give you marketing materials to use at your premises, on vehicles, stationery and online, to show potential customers that you're a trusted trader
• we'll help you understand and comply with consumer protection legislation

If you want more information before applying, you can request a Trusted Trader application pack.

How we check your business

The scheme relies on you being honest and reputable and you must agree to abide by our terms and conditions.

We monitor members' business practices and customer feedback.

When we get your application we will:

• look at any complaint data and information we hold about your business
• check any trade association membership details
• ask you for a copy of your public liability insurance documents
• ask for comments from previous customers about your trading practices
• examine documentation you use to check that it complies with consumer protection legislation when entering into a contract with a customer