FAQ’s
I am a trades person and want to join, how do I join your site?
To join us simply follow the link for a new account in the trader home area. From here you will be asked to choose a user name and password and fill in all the details online. You are also able to pay for your subscription online as well.
How does this site work?
We utilise a complex search engine which enables our subscribers to determine exactly which area they wish to advertise inside – and as such their listing will not be visible to searches conducted outside this area. Subscribers specify a central point and select an advertising plan which extends 5, 10 and 25 miles from that point in a circle, everything inside that area is their catchment area.
I want to advertise across a larger area?
This is possible via our Platinum membership plan which can be tailored to you specific requirements. Platinum membership plans are not available online, please email us on info@compareatrader.com. Please include in your email what territory size you wish to advertise inside, and how many categories and services you business offers.
What do I get with my membership?
Every membership is unique from one advertiser to the next. Every tradesperson can choose their own plan, and where it is based and how far from that point they wish to advertise. Included in every membership are a quantity or business and postal feedback cards. The quantities of which will vary according to the membership plan. Our bronze package which is a 5 mile territory includes 100 Business cards and 25 postal feedback cards and allows the subscriber to be listed in one category.
Where do I buy / can I buy additional business or feedback cards?
Certainly these can be purchased in the business card shop, and are available to all our members at reduced cost. Please allow up to 10 days for their delivery.
What categories or services can I advertise in on this site?
This site operates it search via categories and services offered by our members. Please click here for a full list of the services we allow trades people to advertise inside and the categories in which they are contained.
Can I advertise inside more categories than my membership allows?
Yes, however you will need to purchase an additional category to be able to do this. This is done in the account information, by selecting an additional category beyond your current limit and completing the purchase.
I want to list my business in a category you do not have?
We are always looking for new services and categories which better define our members. Please email your suggestion to us on info@compareatrader.com
Do I need to keep editing my profile?
All members are responsible for the details and data contained on their profile, please ensure that all details on your profile are correct and as up to date as possible, this includes any offers or call out charges you may charge. This will help to avoid any upset customers. When you make any changes to your profile or upload more portfolio pictures your profile will temporarily be removed from any search results, until they are approved by Compare A Trader, this is done solely to preserve the integrity of the site.
How do my customers leave feedback for me?
Your customers can either leave feedback for you online or via the postal feedback cards which can be collected / purchased from the business card shop. By completing a feedback form, all customers are entered into our recurring monthly prize draw for £100 in Marks & Spencer vouchers.
How can I be sure no feedback that is not mine ends up on my listing?
All feedback prior to publication on this site has to verified by both the member to whom it relates, to ensure that it is valid feedback for them, and company admin to ensure that any of the language that has been used is appropriate.
Who is the user “Postal Feedback”, as I get a lot of feedback from them, and I don’t know who they are?
All postal feedback we receive is entered onto the system under the user name of Postal Feedback. It is not practical for us to open a new customer account for every customer who sends us feedback through the post. Other accounts that may be utilised by us to leave postal feedback are: Postal, Post and Post Feedback. Any postal feedback will appear on your profile as Mr P of CAT. Any postal feedback we receive will be loaded for your approval, prior to our final approval.
I have seen a piece of feedback left by anonymous on my profile who is this?
If you see a piece of feedback left by anonymous, what has happened is that a user has left some feedback, which has been approved for publication and at some later time their Compare A Trader account has been closed. Accounts are closed if a user breaches our "Terms of Use". Anonymous is used only when this occurs, and is there to safeguard the trades person feedback. Only in these circumstances will feedback appear as anonymous.
How do I receive my discount for the feedback my customers have left for me?
This is done automatically at your renewal time. Every piece of feedback that your customers leave for you on your listing will result in a discount being applied to your next advertising term. Therefore the more feedback you have the greater the discount you will earn on your next term.
How do I recommend a colleague and get my rebate for introducing them?
All that is required is for your colleague to input your 6 digit membership number in the referred by field, when they first register on this site. This will automatically credit you with the referral fee. The referral fees you earn will be collected together and will be paid in the form of a cheque monthly by post. If your colleague fails to enter your membership number when they first sign up, then no referral fee can be paid.
How much is the referral fee for recommending your site to another trades person?
Currently the referral fee which any trades person can earn, by recommending us to other trades people is 10% of the new subscribers subscription fee. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can receive, and there is no limit on the timescale – this is an on going offer for all of our members. Referral fees will be paid monthly via cheque to you registered business address.
How do I display my business so that it will appear in Urgent trades person search?
By selecting the Urgent services button in your account information and paying the appropriate fee, your business will appear in our urgent trades person search.
What is a trades person who is listed under the Urgent trader search?
An urgent trades person is a business which customers can call on when their job cannot wait, either because it is dangerous to leave it, or they need it done sooner rather than later. Any additional fee will be displayed on your listing, please ensure that it is accurate. A trades person from any of the categories and services we offer can choose to advertise their business as an Urgent trader.
My business operates 24 hours a day, how can I show this on my profile?
If your business operates 24 hours on a day, please enter 00:00 to 00:00 in your opening hours for that day, if you operate 24 hours a day for 5 or 7 days of the week; please repeat this for each of the relevant days.
I do not charge a callout charge during the day but do at night, how can I display this?
If your business operates a callout charge for some of the day and not the rest of the day, there is no way for you to display both. We would urge all our members to either input a callout charge or not, but to confirm with the customer that the callout charge will or will not be applicable to them dependant on what the time of the day is.
If you have any further questions, comments, suggestions or any problems please email us on:
info@compareatrader.com