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What is a WHICH Trusted Trader?

April 20, 2016 by harp_admin

SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS A WHICH TRUSTED TRADER?

Exciting times are ahead – we are now fully endorsed as a Which? Trusted Trader. This is a scheme that recognises reputable traders who successfully pass the WHICH? rigorous assessment process. Not just anyone can become endorsed. The assessment process involves:

1. A preliminary credit check to validate the financial health and stability of a business.
2. Customer reference checks, chosen at random by a member of the Which? Trusted Traders endorsement team to ensure a breadth of consumers are consulted.
3. A thorough examination of business and administrative procedures.
4. Interview and assessment by a Which? Trusted Traders assessor.
5. Code of Conduct: the sole trader/business signing up to the scheme agrees to abide by the code of conduct and the WHICH? terms and conditions.
6. If successful, the trader can now tell their customers that they have passed the WHICH? assessment process and are now an endorsed Which? Trusted trader.

 

AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR CUSTOMERS?

It’s an additional layer of transparency that customers can trust. Due to the high demands of the assessment, not all businesses that apply get through the assessment process. Only those who meet the WHICH? high standards are credited with Which? Trusted trader status.

BUT THINGS CAN STILL GO WRONG THOUGH!

Of course! The most reputable company in the world can still experience problems on some jobs. Any type of building work or remodelling can have its problems or unforeseen challenges. The important point is, how quickly was it sorted and was it to your satisfaction? Our aftersales service is something that we’re rather proud of at Harp.

One of the added benefits of being a WHICH? Trusted Trader is the Ombudsman Service. This service is free of charge for any customer of a Which? Trusted trader. On hand to offer extra peace of mind, the WHICH? Ombudsman Services provides independent dispute resolution to all Which? Trusted trader customers.

HOW OFTEN ARE TRADERS CHECKED BY WHICH? ONCE THEY’VE BECOME AT TRUSTED TRADER?

Once endorsed, this status lasts for just 12 months. When membership is up for renewal, we will have to be re-assessed by WHICH? before we are endorsed again. So, effectively we will be assessed every year by WHICH? to ensure that our standards haven’t slipped!

 

 

CAN I REVIEW YOU ON THE WHICH? TRUSTED TRADER WEBSITE?

Yes of course, if you were a customer! You will have to register online so that WHICH? can validate your review – they may also wish to contact you about your review. This is to ensure that all reviews are genuine and don’t breach their terms and conditions.

In addition to reviewing us on WHICH?, we are also members of Checkatrade, where all our customers are given the option to review their experience with us and rate it – the rating process is completely independent from us and we cannot influence this (see above). Finally, as members of the Consumer Protection Association, all customers get the chance to rate their Harp experience with the CPA when they download their Insurance Backed Warranty.

You can find out more about WHICH? Trusted Traders on the trusted trader website: www.trustedtraders.which.co.uk

Updated 28/05/2016

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