[Alan Brooker. Aqualink Carpet Care]

I hope I'm not going to lose aquaintences over this one.
I get really cheesed off when I see the logo. It seems to be proudly brandished by tradesmen with no evidence of any formal training or further accreditation. Used to see it on most on the 'builders from hell' programmes.

Of late, I'm getting a lot of splash n' dash crew leaflets pushed through the letter box with 'Guild of Master Craftsmen' logo somewhere among the 'Whole house for 25 quid' offers.

I phoned the director of said guild recently and asked him the requirements to join ..... his response - "You must have public liability insurance",  "Is that it?" I asked. "Yes" he replied, like I'd asked him if the sky was blue. :
I then told him that I was a carpet cleaner and he confirmed that all I needed to become a member of the guild is provide my PL insurance details and obviously contact info.
I then asked him why he didn't require proof of 'Treatment risks' insurance and he didn't have a clue what I was talking about!

I accused his company of being 'a badge' that could be bought by ANYONE. He responded that every member was thoroughly vetted and that any other accreditations could be included in my membership file.

Is this Guild a waste of space or what. It annoys me because it gives the general public confidence in someone or a company that is usually bordering on trouble

There, I've said my piece
Alan

[Len Gribble]

Allen
 
Sad ant it, cowboys in every field!

Len

[nick p]

hi
they are not worth anything did it years ago you dont need any thing to become a member they just want your money

cheers nick p

[carpetclean]

hi alan these people ask me to join about every six months or so i usually give the same answer and laugh as it really is a joke. a good membership to join is consumer protection who come and vet you and it gets me work.

[steve cardy]

Peter,
Cant you sleep?Its easter time for a holiday.

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

Look through your YP and see all the different organisations which represent the different industries, most are unrecognisable.

The Guild has one advantage , at least it makes sure tradesmen have public liability which is a legal requirement but often ignored.

Almost all these organisations have very narrow criteria which really offer no consumer protection at all.

Cheers

Doug

[carpetclean]

hi steve i was at work at 6.30 this morning and again tomorrow
regarding public liability i am a member of two organisations and both require public liability insurance one being the  uk consumer protection agency and the other being dulux select for the decorating business. both companies made a site visit to determine i was doing things corrctly when i joined and i am open to spot checks at any time