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Post by jfc on Feb 11, 2008 19:55:20 GMT
On Watchdog now , now i know this is just one builder that hasnt come up with the goods but i was invited to join at the cost of £100 i think just after i had finished my apprentership . £100 was two weeks wages at that time  They didnt know anything about me other than i had passed a carpentry and joinery course . There are more groups like this that builders pay to get into and they all really have no idea what the builder is like . They check one job and give them a sticker Maybe we should start our own recommended tradesmen group  .... Tradesmen We All Trust ;D |
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Post by engineerone on Feb 11, 2008 20:13:20 GMT
seems to me that the fed is similar to the guild of master craftsmen. self regulated and organised. it also seems that their guarantees are about as much use as a chocolate teapot. i think we would have to be careful about making representations, however, we could always offer a choice of 3.  paul  |
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dalo218
New Member
Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten
Posts: 32
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Post by dalo218 on Feb 11, 2008 20:31:36 GMT
well i am a member of FMB as a small builder and i like to think that i offer an excellent level of service to my clients. The main advantage as i saw it at the time was that at the very least if you were a member it showed that you did carry liability insurance both public and employers, something which the more unscrupulious members of the tade would not consider necessary. However i have been a member for some years and since the initial checks and they did contact some previous clients, there has been no follow up. So in conclusion they offer a poor service to consumers but in the abscence of any credible governed alternative they do at least offer some form of redress to disstisfied customers, and if customers are willing to pay for it they also offer insurance backed guarantees. Dalo  |
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Post by engineerone on Feb 11, 2008 20:43:47 GMT
sadly i t seems that they are really a money making device for the fed, and not a proper caring body, that does not mean all the builders are cr**ks, but the lack of followup does rather leave you wondering what we the public get for our money when they want the complaining public to pay for at least half of the arbitration, and they do not inspect before such a thing. the other worry is whether rather like the fsa, they are actually on the side of the builder not the customer  paul |
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dalo218
New Member
Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten
Posts: 32
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Post by dalo218 on Feb 11, 2008 21:43:40 GMT
I can't argue with any thing you have said because of course the FMB are in it for the money, the reason for joining was to portray at least some form of proffesionalism to potential customers as i said before ther just are'nt any credible alternatives and we poor old builders are an easy target for the TV and press  because you don't have to look far to find the charlatans. That said as all my work comes from recomendations i have to review whether it si worth the subscription or not. On another note it might be helpfull if there was a governing body that the customers could join there are some bad ones out there ;D Dalo |
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dalo218
New Member
Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten
Posts: 32
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Post by dalo218 on Feb 11, 2008 21:46:04 GMT
Just got it "Tradesman we all trust" Im sure tw*t will look good on my letterhead
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Post by jfc on Feb 11, 2008 23:00:16 GMT
;D Glad someone got it .... Although it was my humour and not aimed at anyone  I think Ask The Trades had a good system where you had to prove you where trade to get in , after a few posts online you get to know a few of the good tradesmen you could recomend and i do recomend a few from here . |
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Post by colincott on Feb 12, 2008 0:41:28 GMT
;D Glad someone got it .... Although it was my humour and not aimed at anyone I think Ask The Trades had a good system where you had to prove you where trade to get in , after a few posts online you get to know a few of the good tradesmen you could recomend and i do recomend a few from here . Me being one of them ;D |
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Post by thatsnotafestool on Feb 13, 2008 9:53:50 GMT
I.......'( because you don't have to look far to find the charlatans. ........  The 'builders statement of values' 2008. (Well if Gordon wants us to have a motto...oooh ..sorry Gordon, me old tosser..Statement of Values...then builders ought to have one'. Here it is. 1. Any indications that I give regarding the possibility of me actually arriving on any suggested date, whether given verbally, in writing or in jest are precisely that...an indication and no guarantee of any actual attendance. |
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jay
Junior Member
Posts: 80
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Post by jay on Feb 13, 2008 23:27:47 GMT
Rather be joining the Federation of Amateur Builders.
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They didnt know anything about me other than i had passed a carpentry and joinery course . There are more groups like this that builders pay to get into and they all really have no idea what the builder is like . They check one job and give them a sticker 
.... Tradesmen We All Trust ;D
because you don't have to look far to find the charlatans. 
