Residents warned about sofa scam
Trading Standards officers are warning people to be on their guard against the sale of “fake” leather furniture suites by cold-calling traders.
The appeal comes after undercover Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Trading Standards officers, posing as customers, were offered fake leather suites by two men in Tonypandy.
The council workers attended the town yesterday (August 9) after receiving a telephone call at 2pm from a concerned female member of the public who had seen the men offering the suites for sale.
They spoke to the men, who told them the suites were leather, as endorsed on television by interior designer Linda Barker. Initial tests at the scene in Kenry Street confirmed the suites were not leather and the furniture was seized by Trading Standards, using powers under the Trade Descriptions Act.
The men will be spoken to once the results of further tests on the suites are known.
However, Trading Standards are concerned the pair could be part of a wider network of traders offering furniture and carpets for sale from the back of vans.
And they are urging residents to be on their guard, ensuring they only buy goods from reputable dealers who can protect their consumer rights.
Trading Standards received a call from a resident in Tonypandy yesterday (August 9) reporting two men who were knocking on doors offering leather furniture suites for sale.
Officers immediately went to the area and found the men, seizing from them two complete suites (six items of furniture).
The men will be spoken to as soon as further tests have been carried out on the seized furniture.
However, Trading Standards fear the men may be part of a larger group of traders selling suites and carpets across the county from the back of vans.
“Firstly, we must thank the Tonypandy resident for calling us and giving us the opportunity to catch these unscrupulous traders in the act, “ said Cllr Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member with lead responsibility for Trading Standards.
“Thanks to their swift action, we were able to get to the scene and seize the furniture and an investigation has been launched.
“However, this is the latest in a series of such incidents and we are urging people to be on their guard and not to buy goods from cold callers. You get what you pay for with such traders and, often, what they are offering as genuine goods often are not.
“There are many local, reputable businesses that offer people high quality goods – and the consumer rights that go with them. If you buy goods on the doorstep, you often have no rights in terms of complaining about quality, refunds and the like.”
To report suspicious activity or for more information on protecting your consumer rights, contact 01443 442100.
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Content authorised by: Marketing & Communications Team
Last revised on: 10/8/2006