Looking for a service?

[Coldicote]

I often look at notices in local shops if I'm looking for someone to do a job and also have many fliers coming through the door. Most of them give just a name, which might or might not be true, and a phone number, usually of a mobile phone. How do others deal with these? Personally I never respond to adverts without having a proper name and address of the person or business I am dealing with. How can one get the message over to advertisers that they are wasting their time?

[Mamyalynne]

Totally agree with you and all my trade will go to established local businesses and or those recommended by friends and family.

[boxtops]

if they don't get a response, some will stop flyering as not cost-effective. I deal with it by putting them in the recycling bin, along with the take-away menus we get nearly every day.

[Wak]

Over the years I've been collecting details of trades people by recommendation and I now know of a reliable and trustworthy Plumber, Central Heating Engineer, Painter & Decorator, Joiner, Builder, Gardener & Garage.
It's nice to know that you can get a good job done at a fair & reasonable price and without the worry.
Like Boxtops, All the adverts through the door go straight into the recycle bag.

[Whoever]

I wouldn't deal with any business which didn't put their full name and address on their advertisement. A neighbour of ours once used somebody who just put a phone number on their flyer to have her drive tarmaced. When weeds started growing through it less than a month later, it turned out that the phone number on the flyer was a British Telecom red phone box! If you want a reliable trademan it's always worth phoning your local council's Trading Standards department. Some of them have a list of approved tradesmen.

[Coldicote]

Thanks for these supportive answers. I hope other readers will think likewise.