Bridport business is trading standards approved business of the month

Bridport based Solar Thermal Specialist Jim Shearman has been awarded Buy With Confidence member of the month for the southwest.

Jim has been a member of the trading standards approved Buy With Confidence scheme since 2008. His business specialises in installing solar thermal systems which produce hot water for customer’s homes using the power of the sun.

Jim said: “I moved to Bridport 16 years ago. I have fitted 144 (and counting) solar hot water systems since then!”

Jim has hundreds of five-star reviews on his BWC profile. Being Trading Standards approved is important for him because, as he explains:

“I like to think my membership fees go some way to help Trading Standards root out the cowboys, which would certainly improve the image of renewables in general, which, in turn, can only be good in the fight against the looming climate catastrophe. Also, being the best-reviewed member of the scheme in the area is gratifying, but I wonder why anyone would treat their customers any less well than I do.”

Find out more about Jim’s business together with the reviews from his customers.

Buy With Confidence – Trading Standards Approved is a business approval scheme unlike any others as the business is approved by their local Trading Standards Service. It is only those members which meet strict criteria who are permitted to use the Trading Standards Approved logo.  This will give consumer confidence and set them apart from their competitors.  It is set up for the express benefit of good local businesses, and consumers who do not know where to go to find a business they can trust.

Unlike other business approval schemes, it is run on a non-profit basis and all membership fees are ploughed back into the scheme for its running and promotion.  Details of the membership fees can be found here at https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/business/costs/

As part of the membership, members are entitled to free business advice which may otherwise be chargeable to non-members.  The scheme also offers a mediation service in the event of a dispute should it be required.

  Other significant benefits are:

• Access to information about changes to the law that could affect the business.
• Reassurance for customers that the member provides a trustworthy service with high customer service standards.
• Helps set the business apart from competitors.
• Not for profit, so it’s purely run for the benefit of customers and the scheme’s members.
• There is no charge for any business that results from being a member.
• Access to business support services to help the member deal with key business areas e.g. contracts, terms & conditions with Trading Standards knowledge and support, depending on your business requirements.
• Business advice from Trading Standards included in the membership.
• A listing on www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk where the member can personalise their profile and see customer feedback

The Buy With Confidence scheme also operates social media channels, where they post information for small business and also promote their members:

• Facebook
• X (Twitter)  

The scheme relies heavily on customer feedback, so members are encouraged to invite their customers to leave feedback on the scheme website. That will be shown on the member’s public profile, so any potential client will be able to see what their customers have to say about the quality of work the member has given to previous customers. They can leave their opinion online or with prepaid feedback cards all members are given when they join the scheme.

  Details of how to join the Buy With Confidence scheme.