"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
news
TheScullster wrote:
SNIP

His van, whilst having a fancy logo job on the side, did not display a
land
line phone number or, more importantly, a business address.

Personally I'd be suspicious of anyone not displaying a landline, although
the majority of calls I get are on the mobile. Seems a growing trend,
especially amongst younger customers not to have a landline themselves, so
maybe they wouldn't worry?

The lack of a displayed address makes me very wary - does anyone else
feel the same?

That brought to mind TMH and his requests for comment on his van
logo. Did a search for the van picks but they seem to have been
removed - can't remember if his address was featured or not (or if
this was part of the discussion).

My address isn't displayed, pics of van still about
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...nPhotos003.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...nPhotos002.jpg

Browsing briefly through his web site I couldn't see his address
either.
This raises another question, aren't businesses supposed to display a
trading address on web sites by law, or is it just a vague "contact
details requirement"?

I had Trading Standards check out the site prior to being accredited as a
Fair Trader and they didn't mention an address. They did tug me over my
letterhead which didn't have the proprieters name displayed. I guess they
would have mentioned the address not being on the website.

When I'm trying to find stuff online the lack of physical location annoys
me. Many seem to hide where they are and I often want someone local.

From what TMH has said, the lack of displayed address does not seem to
affect his business.

People obviously know I'm local to the Medway area - although I got a call
from Hythe (40 miles away) a few days ago.

But then his would be the sort of outfit that
you might trial or use on low value projects, at least until you had
confidence in him.

I mainly do low value stuff TBH, apart from decking. The Fair Trader logo
(now on the van) helps an awful lot, 'instant respectability' almost.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk


Many one man band firms that I know advertise a landline number that just
redirects it's incoming calls to their mobile phone. They have no secretary
and the only other option is an answering machine. Customers (potential or
existing) want to speak to someone when they call and not leave a message.

Adam