It is trading standards’ aim to keep business informed and successful. The role of the professional is usually positive and supportive, giving advice on commercial law and the ways in which companies can protect themselves from suppliers that con their customers. A jeweller, for example, will be advised about maintaining hallmark standards on gold and silver products.
Even when a company merits investigation, the relationship with trading standards need not be confrontational. For instance, one firm sold hair straighteners boasting everlasting ‘good hair days’ but, instead, all that users got were bad burns. When approached, the owner was genuinely contrite and worked closely with officers to put matters right. In fact, he eventually recalled the product and gave refunds.
Sometimes companies are themselves conned. If your sandwich from the corner cafe isn’t quite what it should be – the meat might be pumped full of water for example – it may not be the cafe owner’s fault directly (although there would be some responsibility.) It may be that he/ she innocently bought an inferior product believing it was the real thing.
Our economy depends on competitive pricing and good quality products and services. Any sensible commercial organisation accepts that shady practice takes work away from legitimate traders and that the economy suffers through tax evasion, price undercutting and loss of jobs.
