Something a bit dodgy!! (Rogue Traders)

Member Name: stebiz

Product:	Rogue Traders
Date:	29/03/09 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Open peoples eyes to the general public to consumer issues

Disadvantages: Occasionaly targets genuine traders

I enjoy this type of program a lot. This one is presented by a duo Matt Allwright and a Portugese man called Dan Penteado. They appear to work very well together. It is a consumer show on at prime time which is Monday at 8.30pm for 30 minutes and does what the title says, look at 'Rogue Traders'. It first began back in 2001 and is now on its seventh series, so it must be doing something right.

The programme usually target door to door salesman or other unscrupulous door to door tradesman, who they have had complaints about. They then set out to see if these complaints are valid by setting up a 'sting' operation at a property. This usually involves an actor/actress who is vulnerable, for example an elderly lady, who invites a tradesman to quote for a job. The jobs vary.

Examples of jobs they have set up are leaking taps (which only need a new washer) but the tradesman says all the tap needs replacing. Driveways were they only put down an inch or two of hardcore - which causes the driveway to only last a few weeks. Their favourites are plumbers, gas fitters, roofers, double glazing etc They have hidden cameras all set up around the room to video the tradesman at their work. One of the tradesman they like to follow is the one who charges by the hour. Quite often you'll see these do a 5 minutes job and then try and justify staying at the property a lot longer.

In recent series Matt has enjoyed disguising himself as a relative. The lengths the make up team go to to disguise him and portray him as somebody else is immense. They really do a great job.

I have little sympathy with some of the traders on the programme who are obviously there to try and rip people off. The BBC really do a fantastic job in exposing these villains and in many cases 'thieves', however I have also seen other traders who have made what appear genuine mistakes, and then get portrayed as the lowest of the low.

I would certainly recommend the program to those who enjoy consumer affairs. It is done in a light hearted way by two presenters dressed in leather biker gear, who are the 'goodies' after the so called 'baddies'.

Summary: A great programme to watch - but not on long enough!