First precious metal buyer in the UK awarded coveted consumer confidence status by Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire Council has accredited a precious metal buyer as part of a national scheme providing consumers with a list of local businesses which have given their commitment to trading fairly. Gold-Traders is a precious metal buyer, which offer customers valuation on their jewellery, up-front, with no hidden fees or extra charges, and is the first business of its kind in the country to be awarded this status.
Buy with Confidence first launched in 2008 and is the largest scheme of its kind nationally, supported by 67 local authority trading standards services. The scheme provides consumers with a register of businesses that have been thoroughly vetted and approved by Trading Standards. To receive accreditation, businesses go through a strict procedure researching their trading history, financial background and completing a criminal records check. Their business systems are audited and Trading Standards officers are given access to their customer records.
Gold-Traders is now part of the Buy With Confidence Scheme, administered locally by Wiltshire Council's trading standards Team, and has committed to the Buy with Confidence Terms and conditions and agreed to be monitored to ensure they continue to trade fairly.
Wiltshire now has 55 businesses which have achieved Buy With Confidence status, including: builders, gardeners, roofers, car traders, estate agents, tree surgeons and even a foot health practitioner
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "We're really pleased that Gold-Traders has decided to join the Buy with Confidence scheme. At a time when 'rogue traders' may be taking advantage of people's financial difficulties. We want consumers in Wiltshire to feel that their property and money is being handled safely and fairly by businesses. By finding a business that suits their needs through Buy with Confidence, they're ensuring that the company they're doing business with has been thoroughly vetted and will continue to be monitored to make sure they're operating within both the letter and spirit of trading standards.
"As the first precious metals buyer and gold dealer in the UK to receive Trading Standards accreditation, Gold-Traders is setting a brilliant example in their industry. We hope this will build further trust among consumers and encourage other companies within the precious metals sector to ensure their business operations are fair, ethical and reliable enough to obtain Trading Standards approval.
"We are committed to protecting individuals and businesses with an effective standards service and the Buy With Confidence Scheme is a really effective way of doing this."
Jon White, Director of Gold-Traders commented:
"We're absolutely delighted to have been awarded Buy with Confidence accreditation by Wiltshire Council, and proud to be the first UK business in the precious metals industry to receive Trading Standards approval. Here at Gold-Traders, we take great pride in not only offering customers upfront and informed valuations, but also offering payments for gold items that are very close to the current spot price of gold, unlike some of our competitors.
"I hope that by joining this scheme we can pave the way for other businesses in our industry to step up and make sure they're offering consumers a fair deal, without any hidden costs. We have a responsibility to ensure that our customers feel safe and respected. This is of even more importance when working with precious metals, where customers are often entrusting us with highly valuable and often sentimental items."
More information about Buy With Confidence can be found at https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ (opens new window).