Camping and General are now proud to be a member of the Buy With Confidence Scheme and are Trading Standards Approved.

In response to concerns about ‘rogue traders’ which are often highlighted in the media, a partnership of Local Authority Trading Standards Services took the ground-breaking step of putting together the Buy With Confidence Scheme. The scheme provides consumers with a list of local businesses which have given their commitment to trading fairly. Every business listed has undergone a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme.

Buy With Confidence is the largest scheme of its kind nationally and continues to expand its geographical coverage.

Buy With Confidence is run through the cooperation of a number of Trading Standards Services. We consider that Trading Standards has the right expertise and motivation to offer a scheme which offers genuine benefits to consumers and businesses. Accordingly, the Buy With Confidence scheme is administered by local authority Trading Standards Services directly, and is not outsourced.

In order to become a Buy With Confidence member, a business must first apply or be recommended to join the scheme and must then pass a set of tailored background checks. Membership of the scheme is not given lightly – amongst other checks, each applicant will have their complaints history reviewed and will receive a visit from Trading Standards. Good references are required from previous customers and applicants must agree to abide by the scheme’s code of conduct, which requires them to follow the letter and spirit of the law. Criminal records basic disclosure may also be required in some circumstances.

Only if all the scheme requirements are met, will a business be granted membership, and their conduct will continue to be monitored thereafter. 

All prospective members are thoroughly vetted by Trading Standards staff before being invited to join the scheme. The performance of members of the scheme is continuously monitored via the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service and through customer feedback submitted directly to us. In the unlikely event that concerns are raised about a member we take appropriate action and if necessary will remove them from the scheme.