Good web guide type things to apply for?

Hattysattic

Hattysattic

VFG Secretary
I just wondered if anyone knew of any other UK (or even international) trading standard type things to apply for as far as online retailer goes?

Obviously there is my VFG trade membership which should reassure people as far as professional bodies go, but I just wondered if there were any things that basically refer to consumer friendliness and generally good business practice that I could look into applying for?

Does this make any sense? :wacko: I am having a very disjointed day..
 
Oh yes, apart from the good web guide as they charge a £117.00 admin fee for reviewing your site.. which I feel isn't really worth it at present as I am not 'big' enough to justify it!
 
You have just stepped into a mine field with this one.

There is not one law which covers it all,
The consumer credit act,The consumer protection act, is what applies to any one selling almost anything, copy can be sometime found in the yellow pages at the font.
It's power is in the stamen like not a direct quote "Goods have to be fit for purpose "
enforced by the consumer using the small claims court, that has not much power, unless you win the judgment and the person bounces the cheque on the court itself. the judges then take very firm action indeed.
You know that already

Saying that you should ask your local trading standards office, here in Harrogate antique dealers all have a certificate from then saying they are a proper antique dealer etc.

I get people each week ringing offering to put me or my dad into a online web director or something like that is not in my view good value at all.
Yell. com is £1,200 per year to guarantee a top of a page position. yellow pages is around £300 depending upon the area and give discount to new advertisers if you push them.

You could try the Thompson local if you have one in your area they can sometime be persuaded to put a enter in for FREE as a trial, and they are so bad they never take it out. LOL

If I think of any other I will let you know


Hope this is some help.
Paul
 
Thanks Paul! I wonder if there are any more safe trading things? I know there's square trade - anyone else a member, and is that worth doing?

I had been trying to find a consumer's association type thing, and apparetly there was a Which? Web Traders seal scheme but it had to be closed as it was just costing too much to run. I think when I get a little more stuff on (and more custom, to make it worth it!) I will consider applying here:

http://www.webtraderuk.org.uk/content/Default.asp
 
I can see where you coming from with this thread Harriet,
My opinion is that possibly the strongest accreditation you could have is the VFG .. creep creep .


My reasoning is:-
Thinking about vintage fairs, I have no idea on this you could tell me,
but do the stall holders have prominent signs saying who they are?
if for example you had on saying "Proud to be a member of the VFG" it might not mean much to the first timer buyer at a fair, other stall holders might think what am I missing out on not been a member etc especially if your selling a lot.

With time not only would it get stronger with more full members but more importantly the average lady attending a fair would be more aware of the advantage with buying from a VFG member .

I am spelling out the obvious I know as Linda said to me it's sometimes right in front of you already.

If you look at it from this point, Nothing is stopping me from turning up at a fair with loads of dresses etc, could sell them very possibly, Do I know enough about vintage fashions to date and sell honestly, Certainly NOT.

I cannot join VFG which I think is right, but I can join many other bodies because I am a honest mail order trader for 16 years but I do not know enought about fashions.

I must say I am loosing the plot a little so I stop.

Paul.
 
Paul - you're absolutely right! I do hope that the trade membership gives people confidence, and am very proud to have it!

I just wanted to tackle the secure shopping/customer service side of it - I had a customer who was very nervous about using paypal and generally shopping online (although it turned out very well in the end, I'm happy to say :) ) and while more and more people are seeing it as nothing out of the ordinary for it's for those who don't do it every day that I want to be able to reassure!
 
I do not have a answer to that. If only I did, I face the same the thing, what I say send a cheque,
I have never had a cheque bounce which is good, even if you go into the tech side they do not understand..
I do think they here bad press about Pay Pal and Ebay did you see watch dog this week.

I set up
Nochex
and offer this as a alternative its cheaper than pay pal
paul.
p.s that's my last word on this thread!
 
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