Check out a potential compressed air supplier
August 10th 2009

The BCAS Trusted Trader Scheme managed by Referenceline helps users make a more informed choice when looking for a firm to sell, install, service or improve compressed air equipment

More than 90% of consumers recommend the firms listed on the Trusted Trader website. Nobody's perfect and we publish complaints as well as praise. Any customer can send Referenceline their comments about a listed firm.

Firms can’t ask us to hide some comments and publish others – it’s all or nothing. We don’t offer guarantees, but please let us know if things go wrong. It's just like word of mouth: Don't take our word for it. Don't take their word for it. See what their customers say.

How do I choose a firm using the BCAS Trusted Trader Scheme?

Don't be impressed by a few high ratings:

• Look for a consistent pattern of references (every quarter) for a reasonable period of time (at least 6 months).

• Expect to see the occasional low rating. You can't please everybody.

• Read the work descriptions and comments to get a flavour for the firm's reputation.

• Treat the information we provide as a starting point and raise any questions with the firm.

Integrity matters most

A report by Trading Standards carried out in 1996 (Consumer Protection for Householders) concluded that the single most important issue when choosing a firm is its integrity:

"save in areas involving safety, integrity is of equal, if not greater, importance than… specific professional skills in terms of ensuring consumer satisfaction… The report went on to recommend: …consumers should use traders recommended by independent third parties with no financial interest in the individuals or companies concerned."

Why can I trust the BCAS Scheme run by Referenceline?

Referenceline is free to consumers, because they are paid by the Trade Association and firms listed here. Does that mean it's too good to be true? Why should you trust Referenceline?

Referenceline is independent. Organisations such as BCAS and Trading Standards schemes want to demonstrate that their members have high standards. BCAS understands that consumers might not believe what we say about their own members, so it makes sense to ask someone independent to keep a record of all the feedback from consumers.

We don’t TELL you, we SHOW you

We want you to be confident that we don’t edit your responses, so we show your original handwritten comments on our site. We also think it’s more interesting, even if they are a little hard to read sometimes!

We really DO publish complaints, as well as compliments

Over 90% of the feedback we receive is positive, recommending the firm concerned. However, you can read the complaints as well, even if the firm doesn't agree with the customer.

Take a look at the BCAS Trusted Trader Scheme by clicking on the link found on the home page of www.bcas.org.uk and take a look at the customer comments for those BCAS members who are serving the area around your postcode.

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