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What it is:
An independent scheme run by Trading Standards and support by Plymouth City Council to approve businesses that are honest, legal, and operate fairly.
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How it works:
Businesses are vetted by Trading Standards to ensure they meet high standards of customer service and adhere to trading law.
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Cost to consumers:Free.Cost to Tradesman:Set annual fee, much cheaper than Checktrade with no increase during years membership.
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Goal:
To provide consumers with a trusted directory of businesses and increase transparency in the marketplace. Fully support Tradesman with no increase in fees during year membership. No pressure on Tradesmen to renewal at end of years membership.
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What it is:
A paid subscription service for tradespeople to get listed and receive customer reviews.
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How it works:
Tradespeople pay to join the platform and list their services, you have an initial fee and then this increases depending on how many leads you want. Checkatrade will hit you hard with leads, if you then don’t pay for more leads Checktrade will drop you down through rankings until Customers can no longer find you. Customers can then view their profile, reviews, and contact details.
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Cost to consumers:
No direct cost to use the service to find a tradesperson.
Cost to Tradesman:Initial Fee and then they will keep asking for more money when your leads run out. If you don’t pay for extra leads, then you will drop down through rankings until customers can no longer find you. -
Goal:
To connect consumers with tradespeople by providing a platform for reputation building and leads. They are a maximising profit company who only fully support Companies when they continue to buy more leads. They pressurise Tradesman with auto renewal membership (if don’t cancel at end of year)
Key Differences Summarised
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Feature
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Buy with Confidence
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Checkatrade
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Administered by
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Local councils/Trading Standards
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Private company
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Vetting level
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Rigorous Trading Standards checks
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Business registration and check for major legal infringements
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Cost for consumer
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Free
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Free to use to find a tradesperson
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Cost for tradesperson
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Paid subscription at a very reasonable price.
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Paid subscription plus increases during year to get constant leads
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Focus
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Legal, honest, and fair business practices
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Reputation building and customer leads. Pressure on Tradesman to buy more leads or you will disappear from top of rankings
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To conclude: Goodwin Electrical in Plymouth are proud to be Buy with Confidence members who fully support their members with no increase in costs during years membership. Checkatrade have turned their focus on maximising profit and focusing on selling more leads rather than promoting Quality Tradesman. Goodwin Electrical will be ending their membership of Checkatrade in October 2025 and concentrating on the quality work done by Buy with Confidence, they are a not for profit organising with the backing of Trading Standards and Plymouth City Council. For a free quote go to:- FREE QUOTE HERE
