About Buy With Confidence

Buy With Confidence scheme is a scheme supported by Milton Keynes Council's Trading Standards Service. The aim is to help businesses to comply with consumer protection laws through a partnership approach. Businesses approved under this scheme are approved by Trading Standards and this helps to reassure customers that they are dealing with legitimate trades people.

Do you need some work done at home or on your car?

Are you looking for a trader to do some work for you? Not sure which business is trustworthy? Try looking for a trader that is approved by Trading Standards under the Buy With Confidence scheme. This is a voluntary scheme for business owners who would like their business practices vetted and approved by Trading Standards. Members registered on the scheme can be found on the Buy With Confidence Website.

How does a business apply?

An interested business can apply to the regional Trading Standards Buy with Confidence Team to be approved under the scheme. The business is then audited by a Trading Standards officer to ensure that they comply with the laws that protect consumers.

• Apply for membership to the Buy With Confidence scheme.
• Read more about why you should join the Buy With Confidence scheme.
• Details about the fees associated with membership of the scheme.

Please Note: As part of the approvals process, various background checks will be made concerning your business, and a face-to-face visit will also be arranged. By submitting this application form Buy With Confidence may initiate checks that can include (but are not limited to):

• Civil Court Judgements
• Financial Checks
• Criminal Convictions (for business owners/staff who work in or around their customers’ premises)
• Consumer Credit Licence (if applicable)
• Membership of any claimed trade associations or professional bodies
• Trading Standards Services’ own enquiry database(s) and/or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service database

Where can I find more information?

If you would like more information about the scheme and to find a local approved trader, or if you are a trader who would like to join the scheme please visit the national Buy With Confidence website.

What if I cannot find a trader?

If you cannot find a trader on our scheme, there are many other approved trader schemes you could look at. We would urge you to read the information about the trader scheme and make sure they will help if you have any trouble with your trader of choice. Some schemes do not offer any mediation or arbitration to the consumer if things go wrong, so you might think twice about a scheme that is not going to help you.