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Blackburn firefighter tackles rogue traders
A FORMER Blackburn firefighter has launched a website to help people avoid rogue traders.
Barry Shelmerdine has set up Trade Grader to give people a chance rate plumbers, electricians or gas engineers who have carried out work for them.
Mr Shelmerdine lived in Blackburn as a child and attended Roe Lee Primary School.
After joining the fire service, his first post was at Blackburn fire station from 1978 to 1986.
He created the website after he spent £10,000 on a bathroom 18 months ago, which was fitted by someone listed in the Yellow Pages.
When he noticed problems with the fittings he tried to get back in touch with the firm but found out the company no longer existed.
Barry, 50, who now lives in Blackpool and is stationed at Lancashire Fire and Rescue headquarters in Preston, said: "Trade Grader was an internet site borne out of the frustration of a home improvement nightmare.
"Our bathroom needed renovating so my wife and I asked our friends for any recommendation they may have had regarding firms to undertake the task. No-one could give positive advice so we turned to the yellow pages.
"Unfortunately, although the pristine bathroom looked fantastic it has been nothing but trouble ever since and our provider no longer exists therefore we have no recourse.
"Now, at the same price if not more we are replacing new with new in June.
"We searched and could obtain information about just about any hotel or location in the world but we could not find any information regarding trades providers.
"This, of course, would have been extremely valuable to us."
Anyone who has had a good or bad experience with an individual of trades firm can log onto www.tradegrader.
co.uk and write a review or people can log onto the site to search for trades people and read reviews written by others.
Barry added: "The hope is that, for those who use the site, the information will help inform consumer decision as to initial choice of provider."
Sent: 24/04/2008
Email us direct at: repairs@londonheatingservices.co.uk
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