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24/09/2008
Shoppers Fleeced By 'Clearance Sale'
A sale that wasn't quite a sale has ended with a clothing chain facing court fines.
Clothing retailer The Officers Club Ltd, which trades as Petroleum in Northern Ireland, was yesterday fined £1,000, plus £681 costs, at Ballymena Magistrates' Court for misleading consumers.
Four sample charges were brought against the company for offences under the Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.
The charges relate to a 'Massive January Clearance' promotion which wasn't quite what it claimed to be.
NI Trading Standards officers visited Petroleum outlets in Ballymena, Newry, and Belfast in January 2006.
Promotional sale signs were displayed throughout the stores stating 'Prices Slashed' and 'Huge Reductions', while many items of clothing were labelled with 'Massive Clearance' tickets.
Trading Standards Service found that many items had not been reduced in price as implied, and some items had actually increased in price during the promotion.
A spokesperson from Trading Standards Service said: "Traders must always ensure that the information given to customers during sales is accurate and does not mislead in anyway."
The spokesperson also urged that any consumers who suspect they have been misled by a trader's claim of a price reduction should report it to Consumerline on 0845 600 6262 or 028 9025 3900 or log on to their website.
See: www.consumerline.org
(BMcC)
Clothing retailer The Officers Club Ltd, which trades as Petroleum in Northern Ireland, was yesterday fined £1,000, plus £681 costs, at Ballymena Magistrates' Court for misleading consumers.
Four sample charges were brought against the company for offences under the Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.
The charges relate to a 'Massive January Clearance' promotion which wasn't quite what it claimed to be.
NI Trading Standards officers visited Petroleum outlets in Ballymena, Newry, and Belfast in January 2006.
Promotional sale signs were displayed throughout the stores stating 'Prices Slashed' and 'Huge Reductions', while many items of clothing were labelled with 'Massive Clearance' tickets.
Trading Standards Service found that many items had not been reduced in price as implied, and some items had actually increased in price during the promotion.
A spokesperson from Trading Standards Service said: "Traders must always ensure that the information given to customers during sales is accurate and does not mislead in anyway."
The spokesperson also urged that any consumers who suspect they have been misled by a trader's claim of a price reduction should report it to Consumerline on 0845 600 6262 or 028 9025 3900 or log on to their website.
See: www.consumerline.org
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
