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News

Don't buy cheap sofas from the back of a van

Residents are being urged by Poole's Environmental & Consumer Protection Services to close the door on cold callers selling three piece suites from the back of vans.

This follows several reports of itinerant traders touring the area offering furniture for sale at seemingly bargain prices.

Shaun Robson, Head of Environmental & Consumer Protection, said: "We've not caught up with these traders to examine the furniture here in Poole yet but trading standards services elsewhere in the UK have had problems with plastic suites being described as leather and second hand ones being described as new. There have also been doubts over the safety of items sold in this way"

He added: "Our officers regularly inspect upholstered furniture in shops for descriptions and to ensure they meet safety standards, but we have no guarantee these have ever been tested. We don't believe that the people selling these goods will also offer customers the seven day cooling-off period they are supposed to."

Cllr Don Collier, Environment Portfolio Holder, said: "We would advise all our residents to be wary if they are offered anything in this way, let alone furniture costing hundreds of pounds. Don't be pressured into buying something you don't really want or need and remember if it goes wrong you won't be able to take it back to the shop you brought it from".

Anyone with any queries should contact Environmental and Consumer Protection Services, tel: 01202 261700 or email environment@poole.gov.uk

Editor's Notes

The Borough of Poole's Environmental & Consumer Protection Services and Dorset Police have received reports of residents being offered furniture from the back of two van Ford transit vans. These have been traced to an address in the North East of England.

No reports have been received of anyone locally purchasing one of the suites but Trading Standards Officers elsewhere in the country have dealt with cases where the furniture offered (believed to be of Eastern European origin) does not meet EC Safety Standards or has been misdecribed.

The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 create a criminal offence to sell goods costing more than £35 door-to-door unless the purchaser is given a cooling off period in which they can change their mind.

Shaun Robson, Head of Environmental & Consumer Protection, tel: 01202 261736