MYSTERY shoppers checked standards of service at 21 motor traders in Warrington – and awarded top marks to two of them.
They were Warrington Vehicle Centre, of Hoyle Street, and Frank Warburton and Sons at Lymm.
Both are members of the approved motor trader scheme run by the Warrington and Halton Trading Standards team 
– a register of local businesses that have a strong track record of good customer service and fair trading.
Car sales, servicing and repairs are a major source of complaints to trading standards throughout the country. Some result from a small number of “cowboy traders.” Others arise when legitimate businesses are unaware of their legal obligations or fail to check their staff are doing the job correctly.
The approved trader scheme attempts to raise standards and consumer confidence while improving the image of the motor trading in the town.
Coun Mike Biggin, the borough council’s executive member for climate change and public protection said: “This important scheme offers consumers peace of mind in an area that can often cause confusion. I would urge all residents both young and old to use our approved local traders as I have had negative experiences in the past when buying a new car and don’t want other residents to needlessly go down a similar route.”
Richard Cook of Warrington Vehicle Centre said: “The scheme gives our customers reassurance when buying new and used vehicles from our company and in-turn helps us keep providing a high standard of service and after-sales to our loyal customer base.”
The complete list of approved traders in the town is at www.tswarrington.co.uk/amt
Pictured: Left to right: Melvin Warburton of Frank Warburton and Sons, Coun Mike Biggin and Richard Cook of Warrington Vehicle Centre with certificates recognising their achievement.
Top marks for motor traders
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
3 Comments
An encouraging endorsement to the two traders who no doubt deserve praise…but I’m more interested in where not to take my car, there should also be a name and shame after all despite the heading this means that 90% of the traders did not earn top marks and since this is a service industry that can only mean that 90% did not do as service at a level which could be deemed “good” service.
Is this slightly misleading as there are currently 21 garages who pay for membership of Warrington Councils Approved Motor Traders Scheme…. and the news report says 21 garages were checked. Presumably this means only those on the scheme were spot checked ????
I’ve been a customer of Warrington Vehicle Centre for nearly 15 years; having had many cars and vans from them. I can wholeheartedly back up the councils findings and state that the service I have had has always been of the highest standards. Well done Richard (and the rest of the chaps of course!!)