The National Guild of Removers & Storers
The
National Guild of Removers & Storers was formed in 1991 intent
on bringing into membership removals businesses that are keen on promoting
consumer protection. The Department for Trade & Industry (DTI) officially
recognised that the GUILD was pre-eminent in its field 1996. The
Guild is proud to be the founder member and a strong supporter of The
Removals Industry Ombudsman Scheme. It is the only trade association
in the industry that insists that its members belong to the scheme. The
GUILD is also the only trade association in the removals industry whose
members have to pass an annual independent inspection and undergo a continual
monitoring program.
There are no laws in the UK about who can set up
as a removal business. You, however, need to know that you're entrusting
your home and your treasured possessions to a remover that voluntarily
meets high standards of consumer protection. The best indicator of this
is to look for a member
of The Removals Industry Ombudsman Scheme (RIOS) and only the GUILD insists
that Call of its members contract to comply to the Ombudsman Scheme's
regulations.
THE 5 GOLDEN RULES FOR CHOOSING A SAFE REMOVER
1. Never choose a remover just because they have quoted you a low price. Remember the removals industry attracts many "man & van" amateurs that operate in the black economy with untrained staff and illegal vehicles. That's why some prices are incredibly low.
2 Never take it for granted that a removal company with a large or expensive advertisement is reputable or competent.
3 Never take at face value any promises made by the removal assessor that visits your home. Always ensure that verbal promises are confirmed in writing.
4 Always obtain a written quotation which will be printed with the removers terms and conditions but beware some terms and conditions greatly limit your rights.
5 Check their vehicle fleet. Make sure that if they are using a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes that they hold a valid operators licence. If they do not hold a valid operators licence and they carry out your removal in a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, then they are operating illegally.
The GUILD now has in place a pre-payment guarantee scheme. This is in place to protect the customer when they have paid for their removal in advance.
GUILD members abide by a strict code of practice which covers the subjects listed below:
Accurate & honest information
- Annual inspection of members
- Conciliation
- Changes to members ownership
- Complaints
- Estimates/quotations avoiding mistakes
- Insurance documents
- We accept debit/credit cards
- Insurance claims assistance
- Insurance information
- Removal supervision/stack training
- Spot checks
- Terms & conditions
- Type of work, equipment & maintenance
- Vehicles
Please visit the Guild website www.ngrs.co.uk
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"My thanks goes out to Michael and his team for carrying
out such a professional move. All the staff were friendly and
courteous and new exactly where everything should go. All items
were stacked neatly in every room making unpacking less of a
chore in such a hectic time." |
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