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Welcome to this weeks Biz News, remember if you have any info on business success, openings, closings, or of commercial interest to our readers let me know thebiz@fuertenews.com or if you would like to advertise in Fuertenews, give me a call on 0034 928 345 078.
Quality Trading Standards
One problem that you always have when you move to a new area is that of finding trades people you can trust. This is doubly difficult when you move to a completely different country where language and cultural differences exacerbate the problem. I have heard too many stories where newcomers have handed over their money only to find that the work is shoddy, complaints aren't dealt with or worse that the company disappears into thin air together with their cash. I had one incident on the mainland where the guardia turned up one morning and arrested all the workers and promptly deported them! Luckily for you, I am not the only person to be frustrated by this situation. Angela Tellyn, who has been on the island over 6 years, decided that it was time that someone took action to help consumers over here. So she has set up a Quality Trading Standards Scheme. Her extensive background in customer service more than qualified her to determine what to look for. The scheme lays down certain criteria that a business has to meet before they can be can be accredited. These include;
Angela establishes whether businesses qualify using a variety of methods including fiscal research, customer references and the use of a "secret shopper" who could visit the business at any time to see how they perform. Once a business meets the strict standards, they pay a fee and are accepted for membership. This means that they are included in the quarterly LOOK business directory, available at a number of outlets around the island, they are included on the QTS website and they receive a QTS sign to display in their premises.
Just getting a business into the directory is not the end of the story. If a complaint is made against the business, it will be investigated and a committee of founder members will judge whether the business should stay accredited. This should keep them on their toes! QTS recently held a launch party where another benefit of membership became apparent, that of networking with other business owners.
I can certainly attest to the quality of the wine from Enigma Solutions
but I didn't quite get round to trying out the Lay-Z Spa from KJ Inflatables!
The event was very well attended and showed the range of businesses that are keen to prove that they provide a good service. Here are John from Printzone and Caroline from Millenium property
Me sampling
wine with Danny and Jackie from Screen
Mike from Screen Solutions, Caroline from KJ Inflatables and Lesley from Raiz y Rama
Alan from AVM Kitchens, Joy from Sabre Securities, Jill from Printzone, Sonia and Nick from Miles Away and Caroline from Millennium Properties
Stiin from Arcotrust and Andrew from Remax
If you are interested in getting your business accredited by Quality Trading Standards contact Angela on 699 34 59 93. To get more information on the scheme take a look at the website www.qualitytradingstandards.com If you are a consumer, you can search for trustworthy businesses on the website or check the LOOK business directory.
Corinne
Sellens |
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