by Martin Jefferies

A persistent trader is breaking the law by refusing to give Ramsgate residents the required seven-day ‘cooling off’ period, according to Kent Trading Standards.

The organisation says the man, who is short, in his 50s and speaks with a Northern accent, has been posting flyers in the Nethercourt area of the town.

He advertises driveway work, such as block paving, but officials claim that when he secures work, he fails to give customers the legal right to change their minds within one calendar week.

Laws apply to any contract made between a consumer and a trader at the consumer’s home or place of work, where that agreement is for a total payment of more than £35.

A contract may be cancelled within seven days and traders must inform customers of their cancellation rights.

A spokesperson for Kent Trading Standards said: “They are committing an offence if they fail to provide this cancellation notice, which must contain their identity and address and must be given to the consumer when they agree to have the work done.”

The organisation advised Thanet residents not to agree to remedial work by doorstep salesmen and to report cold callers to Consumer Direct’s 08454 040506 hotline.

Instead, consumers are urged to obtain written quotes from several reputable traders. A list of Trading Standards-approved workmen can be found at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.