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Jessica: Fair Trading Officer
I first joined trading standards as a consumer adviser undertaking some part-time advice work on behalf of Devon County Council during the foot and mouth crisis. The work seemed a lot more exciting than what I was doing in the retail business and perhaps more importantly, the job sparked enough interest for me to pursue a future career in trading standards!
In my position now I am mainly involved in enforcement. I don’t deal with food complaints but I do investigate underage sales and anything, which infringes the trade descriptions act – you know, seizing counterfeit goods like fake scarves, which were being sold at a match between Exeter City and Manchester United. And I also investigate things like unsafe toys and products sold in a misleading way (for example products that say they are made of “oak” when they’re not). I also deal with safety issues such as cars unfit for the road.
When I started I had two ‘A’ levels, but while I’ve been working I’ve taken the diploma in consumer affairs (DCA) course which has been a great help with court procedure and contract law and I’m going on now with the DCA part 2 qualification. I intend to take the diploma in trading standards route to further qualifications that will turn a good job into a great job. But at any point, now and in the future, trading standards is going to be exciting work with variety and challenges.
I think the fact that I’m a confident and flexible person who doesn’t take things at face value but knows when to tread softly with traders helps me to do the job well.
Back to real deal |
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08:15 |
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Start early – new year’s resolution! Start typing up report on fake
“oak” furniture. We run a trader scheme called “Customer First” –
start on newsletter for members. |
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10:00 |
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Preparing a case on an unsafe car under Road Traffic Act. Visit
garage to take statement from mechanic; will interview trader who
sold car next week. |
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12:30 |
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Consult distance-selling regulations before advising a trader over
the phone. Arrange to inspect some food premises with member of the
food standards team. Practical experience will help with diploma in
consumer affairs (DCA) food paper in June. |
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13:00 |
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Lunch and a little walk – another resolution! |
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14:00 |
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Into Exeter city centre to discuss safety complaint with manager of
national chain of kitchenware stores. Problem could be consumer
misuse. Take product away to inspect back at base. |
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14:30 |
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Big Exeter City v Manchester United game! Returning to car, notice
street traders selling scarves and flags with copyrighted logos on
them. Have seized similar merchandise before. Phone boss. |
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15:00 |
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Meet up with colleagues to catch the street trader (much more fun
than being in office!). Sometime later, with police, caution trader.
Ninety-five scarves bagged and tagged. Help take haul back to van
and return to office. |
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16:00 |
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Phone a complainant and discuss a safety issue with boss. Labelling
and instructions could be improved on the product. |
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17:00 |
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Cheerio! |
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