Testing

checked.org.uk attempts to test postal/geographic addresses and telephone numbers of online retailers.

What The Symbols Mean:

Pending

This symbol indicates that the company has a letter pending - one has been sent to them and they have yet to respond within the required 10 days. After 10 days if they have not responded, the symbol status will turn to the red fail cross.

Failed

This symbol indicates that the company has failed testing of that particular element. This could mean that a letter sent to their listed address has not been responded to, or telephone calls have gone unanswered.

Partially Checked

The purple tick shows a partial confirmation, and is used to indicate that a company has established their location in the UK with a single letter sent to their listed address, but has not signed up to be tested on a monthly basis. There is the possibility of mail forwarding and differing locations with just this single letter, as we do not send it using Royal Mail Recorded Signed For™.

Fully Checked

The blue tick shows a full confirmation, and is used to indicate that a company is being tested on a monthly basis. This is the highest form of checking that we undertake, and demonstrates a commitment from the company in validating their details. Every month we send them a confirmation letter to their listed address by Royal Mail Recorded Signed For™.

Not Available For Testing

The grey dash identifies a lack of a particular detail on a company website, such as no telephone number being present. We cannot therefore test this.

Not Yet Tested

The yellow question mark indicates that we have recorded a particular element on a company website (eg address, telephone number) and it is in the queue to be tested.

What We Test:

Postal/Geographic Address: We send a letter to the company's postal address listed on their website. We do not send to PO Box addresses. This primary level of checking does not necessarily mean that the retailer is located at the address listed, as there may be a mail forwarding process in place. The Premium service does help to prove this as we mail a letter every month using the Royal Mail Recorded Signed For™ delivery service, and check that the mail is not being redirected to an alternative address.
Telephone Number: We telephone the company's listed telephone number to see if it is being answered during regular office hours. If there is no answer, then we will try again a second time at a slightly different time. If we do not connect a second time then we fail this element.

All content of this website is the copyright of checked.org.uk except where noted, and no unauthorised duplication or usage is permitted without permission from checked.org.uk. E&OE. The checking procedures undertaken by checked.org.uk are only for general information and are directed principally at consumers. checked.org.uk is in no case responsible for the correctness or accuracy of the specifications. checked.org.uk does not control the content of external resources/websites, and is in no way responsible for these sites. Whilst checked.org.uk make reasonable effort to ensure its verification service functions properly, it cannot and does not make any claim or warranty of any kind whatsoever about the accuracy or usefulness of any information provided. By using this information you agree that checked.org.uk and its data partners be held harmless in any event. If you have any doubt as to whether a retailer is genuine or bone fide, conduct as full an investigation as you can, and/or look around for alternative retailers.