Consumer advice

We aim to provide a comprehensive service to consumers on all aspects of trading standards in order to maintain and improve fair trading in East Dunbartonshire.

Advice and assistance

We provide an independent public service for advice and assistance and will also take steps to monitor trading to prevent or control unfair or illegal practices.

We are responsible for administering legislation that governs quality, quantity, safety, price and description of goods and services.

In addition, through advice, information and education we seek to raise awareness of consumers' rights and obligations to allow people to make informed choices when buying goods or services and so ensure value for money.

The service is free and confidential and home visits can be arranged if needed.

We offer advice and assistance in the following areas:

• Consumer advice
• Licensing and Registration
• Doorstep crime.

Doorstep crime advice

Doorstep crime:

This is the term we use to group together the types of activity which involve bogus workmen/women carrying out unnecessary work usually at hugely inflated prices, distraction thefts and cold calling frauds.  The perpetrators often target older or vulnerable residents living in their own home.

To help avoid becoming the victim of doorstep crime we would recommend following our advice.

• Do not allow anyone who you are not expecting who arrives at your door(cold callers) to carry out home maintenance at your property
• Cold callers often claim to be already working in the area or for one of your neighbours
• If a cold caller claims to have noticed you need repairs, have a relative or friend look at the claims and get a minimum of three quotes from traders
• Consider if the work is already covered by your home insurance, they may have approved contractors
• Remember it is often the case that bogus workmen/women will start with a relatively small, inexpensive job to gain trust or build rapport.  Do not agree to more work on the spot and do not pay for work done without your permission
• Use a door chain or bar when answering the door
• If you do decide to have work done, make staged payments, do not keep excess cash in the house and if withdrawing money from the bank, tell the bank what the money is for and if the trader has accompanied you
• If you have concerns about anyone who calls at your door, close the door and call Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510 or Police Scotland on 101 (999 if you feel threatened or in danger)
• Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland alerts

You can find trusted traders, vetted by trading standards on Scotland's Approved Trader Directory.

Consumer advice: trader complaint

Our role is to ensure that a fair trading environment exists within the East Dunbartonshire Council area.

If you are an East Dunbartonshire resident we can offer you advice and assistance free of charge if you have a complaint about goods or services you have purchased from:

• Any trader within East Dunbartonshire
• Any other area
• An online trader.

If you are not a resident of East Dunbartonshire but have a complaint about a trader within our area, we can also assist you with your complaint. If you would like our assistance, please complete our online form and an officer will contact you within two working days.

The Trading Standards service does not deal with complaints about East Dunbartonshire Council services. Any complaints about Council services can be reported using the "Customer Complaints" link