03 June 2009

Consumer Direct Issues Warning To Mobility Aid Buyers

A rise in complaints about mobility aids has led Consumer Direct to issue a warning about the sharp practices of some operators selling mobility scooters, bath aids and orthopaedic furniture.

Consumer Direct, the OFT-managed advice service, received more than 1,500 complaints about mobility aid purchases in the first four months of this year, up 8% on the same period last year.

Many complaints related to defective products and customer service issues, while almost a quarter were about sales and business practices, including allegations that traders were making misleading claims.

Callers complained about salespeople engaging in high pressure sales tactics, spending several hours in their homes, and in some cases falsely claiming to be working for Social Services, the Department for Work and Pensions or the National Health Service.

Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct said: "Mobility aids like these can provide welcome independence and relief to the sick, elderly and disabled but prospective buyers need to guard against the tactics of some rogue operators.

"Many of these products are sold to people in their own homes where they can be particularly vulnerable to high pressure selling techniques. It's worth remembering that if you agree to buy something in the home that you later regret, you will have cancellation rights."

New laws that came into force in October 2008 in most cases give consumers seven days to cancel contracts entered into in the home.

Other regulations introduced in May last year prohibit traders from treating consumers unfairly, misleading them through acts or omissions, or subjecting them to aggressive practices such as high pressure selling techniques. Traders are also required to leave premises when asked.

Breach of the new regulations is an offence punishable by up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. A number of mobility aid companies are currently being investigated by local authority Trading Standards Services.

(JM/BMcC)