Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:

There are many benefits and many are described on the website. For most consumers it is the security that the Company they choose is a member of an Association and they have someone to help them should anything go wrong. It is also reassuring that the Company is serious about the work they do and have proven that they come up to the standard required to be an Association member. They may charge a little more but they do comply with all the rules and regulations and carry out expensive employee training. There is of course a cost to do this but the Consumer certainly obtains better value for the slightly higher price.

You can see from the FAQ that the Association is run by some of the most experienced people in the Industry and you can be assured that the member you choose has the backing of all that valuable experience.

Should you need any further information please do contact us again on the link below.

Answer:

No. The new regulations have a special exemption for minor works carried out in specific parts of a domestic property. All AGDS member companies have been guided through the new rules and regular information is issued to all AGDS Members. 

Consumers can obtain details by contacting their local AGDS member who can advise them. Alternatively, contact the AGDS directly on the following.

To further safeguard our members employees and the consumer the AGDS have a dedicated electrical training programme, which ensures members comply with their duty of care. All AGDS Members have access to this very important training scheme.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

All members’ subscriptions are used for the benefits described in how the Association is funded. Some years, more is spent providing those benefits and some years less is spent. Any surpluses are carried forward to future years. As would be expected from a well-run organisation there should always be a surplus, as the Association would never spend more that it could afford.

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Answer:

Members make their own decision to join the Association and know the structure and understand that the present position, which is a legacy of the Associations origins. There are always discussions regarding the future of the Associations structure but at this moment in time the founding members have not satisfied themselves that changing the structure would be of benefit to anyone. Until such time that a suitable alternative can be found and one where safeguards can be assured for the Association to remain impartial, maintain its hard earned respect and represent both its members and the consumer honestly and fairly then it seems that the present structure will remain for the foreseeable future.

mail@agds.org.uk 

Answer:

As with any problem there are always two sides to every story. Because those who have grown up running their own businesses, all from a very small beginnings, own the Association they are able to understand how a small problem becomes a major headache for a small business or a consumer. It is to the best of our knowledge that since 1993 the Association has never failed to resolve any problem brought to its attention.

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Answer:

It cannot always. If a member makes a mistake or does a bad job then the Association will make it clear that they must put the work right. Equally, consumers sometimes make unreasonable and unjustified complaints and that is not fair either and the Association would not hesitate to tell a consumer that they were being unreasonable. Hopefully, common sense prevails in the end and a satisfactory conclusion can be achieved.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

This is one of the questions heard most by the present committee members! The honest answer is that the Association has never really had too. The original founders seem to be a resilient crowd and still form the basis of a working committee and to operate effectively there has to be an optimum number on any committee and it would be cumbersome and perhaps unworkable for that number to be increased just for the sake of it. However, it is a subject discussed frequently by the existing committee and many suggestions have been made. A retire and re-election process has been considered but many members have made it clear that they would prefer to see committee members who do a good job remain on the committee rather than be replaced by someone of less experience. That does of course beg the perennial question of how one gets experience before the opportunity. A question perhaps not quite answered but one that is under constant review and suggestions are welcome from everyone for the future.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

The Association is funded through subscriptions paid by its own members. Those subscriptions go towards collective benefits for the members and include subsidised training and business help, health and safety initiatives, trade benefits such as vehicle breakdown cover and cheaper fees from banks and credit card processing companies. The more a member saves in those costs the less costs they have to pass onto the consumer.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

Yes. Our website gives contact details for the Associations officers and contact can also be made directly from the "Contact AGDS" link opposite or the one below.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

The Association will help with any problems a consumer may have, that can involve dissatisfaction with products or disputes between an installer and a consumer. Often just someone getting involved and getting simple things put right can easily solve a problem. Because the Association is owned by the Garage Door Industries leading Companies it has the knowledge and the influence to get things done.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

The Association was founded in 1993 by some of the largest Companies in the industry. It is still owned today by those same Companies. By maintaining that ownership we are able to ensure the founding principles still apply today as they did in 1993 and that those principles and are safe from being diluted and manipulated for commercial or other gain.

mail@agds.org.uk

Answer:

The principle aim of the Association is to voluntarily regulate an industry through its experience. Many members are smaller traders who do a tremendous job for their customers and are often faced with problems, which affect both themselves and their customers. Usually this is not of their making.  It is sometimes difficult for those members to have the time or influence to have things put right by their suppliers when things go wrong. Because of experience and knowledge the Association can usually get things done for their members which helps both the member and the consumer find a satisfactory and swift conclusion to any problems.

mail@agds.org.uk