Potentially dangerous power tools being sold door to door in Bristol

Potentially dangerous power tools are being sold door to door in Bristol at present. Householders are being warned by Bristol City Council Trading Standards Service to be on their guard if approached by traders calling unannounced at homes trying to sell these.

“Residents should be aware that these items may not be genuine and could be of inferior quality. The origin of items sold door to door is often unknown and therefore the safety compliance may not be what it should be” said Sarah Saunders, Principal Officer at Bristol Trading Standards.

Anyone who is offered electrical goods door to door should consider the following:
·   Why they are being sold in such a manner.
·   That they could well be unsafe and/ or counterfeit,
·   That purchasing tools in this manner will leave little or no opportunity to resolve any problems that might occur.
·   That the instructions for the items are often not supplied.

Cllr Guy Poultney, Cabinet Member for Communities said, “Our advice is to not buy goods or services from anyone you don't know that calls uninvited at your door. Do not be persuaded into making snap purchasing decisions on your doorstep. It's just never worth the risk”.

Traders who sell goods or services to consumers for more than £35 during a visit to their home or place of work should give a cancellation notice, detailing a seven day cooling off period. If no such cancellation notice is given then a criminal offence may have been committed.

Bristol City Council Trading Standards Service is always keen to learn of such instances, however many traders who trade door to door do not leave adequate details and are difficult to trace.  The Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Service can provide initial advice to consumers who have problems with goods or services.  They can be contact on 08454 04 05 06.