Doorstoppers Campaign

Say NO to Doorstep Callers

Trading Standards are currently taking part in a joint operation with Police Scotland on Doorstep Crime.

Doorstoppers is a campaign organised by Trading Standards Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, along with our partners in the Police Scotland, and Faire, the Community Careline. The purpose of the campaign is to highlight and help combat the problem of rogue traders who prey on vulnerable groups of consumers, especially the elderly and those living alone.

Unfortunately not all the doorstep callers who visit the Western Isles are genuine callers and can sometimes use pressure selling tactics to rush consumers into a purchase for goods of services which consumers may later regret.

Very often the traders have left the islands and have travelled back to the mainland with the consumers’ cash, before having completed the service, or after having sold consumers faulty goods.

Doorstoppers Pack

Each household in the Western Isles will receive a doorstoppers pack, via Royal Mail (delivery from 17th September until 27th October 2007)

In the pack you will find a Doorstoppers Leaflet (1.6MB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) explaining the Doorstoppers Campaign, as well as a brief summary of your rights if you choose to buy from doorstep sellers.

Calamity Calum says: "Say no to rogue traders!"

• If you want to discourage unwanted doorstep sales people from calling, you can display the Doorstoppers Sticker (22.5kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) in your door or window.
• If you find it awkward dealing with an unwanted sales person, you don’t have to say anything, just show the Doorstoppers Card (21.0kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) to the caller and shut the door.
• If you want to report doorstep sellers or are concerned about elderly relatives or neighbours please use our 24 hour number on 01851701702 or call Crimestoppers on 0800555111 or in an emergency dial 999 for the Police. When reporting doorstep sellers, it is helpful if you are able to pass on to Police or Trading Standards, vehicle registration numbers and descriptions of the individuals concerned

Please support Doorstoppers Western Isles and encourage friends and neighbours to read the pack and display the sticker

This Doorstoppers Poster (287.5kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) can be downloaded and printed for display in your local community hall.

Rogue Traders Poster (239.0kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)