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16 Dec 99

A CAUTIONARY CHRISTMAS CAROL

The Borough of Poole's Consumer Protection Service is supporting a cautionary Christmas Carol from the Institute of Trading Standards.

The Carol highlights in a light-hearted way, some of the methods used by con
artists to take advantage of people at Christmas-time.

THE TWELVE CONS OF CHRISTMAS

In the first con of Christmas a barman sold to me:
A short pint of frothy beer

In the second con of Christmas a conman sold to me:
Two dangerous toys

In the third con of Christmas a loan shark bullied me:
Three thousand readies

In the fourth con of Christmas a market sold to me:
Four fake Furbies

In the fifth con of Christmas a villain sold to me:
Five counterfeit rings

In the sixth con of Christmas a butcher sold to me:
Six 'fresh' frozen turkeys

In the seventh con of Christmas my tree lights blew up:
Seven shocks I got

In the eighth con of Christmas a trader sold to me:
Eight fake computer games

In the ninth con of Christmas I went to the January sales:
Nine offers no bargains

In the tenth con of Christmas I joined a homeworking scam:
Ten months -no earnings

In the eleventh con of Christmas I bought from world-wide web:
Eleven weeks - still waiting

In the twelfth con of Christmas I bought Millennium Champagne:
Twelve fake bottles

Peter Pawlowski, Head of Consumer Protection Services, said: "Rogue traders are a particular problem during Christmas which is an ideal time to take advantage of shoppers. With the millennium there are particular areas such as fake Champagne which have been a real target. The best advice is for shoppers to buy from reputable companies. If anyone has a problem with faulty, dangerous or fake goods they can report it to their local Consumer Protection Service who will investigate their complaint".

Residents with concerns on any of these issues should contact Consumer Protection Service in their area:

Poole, tel: (01202) 261700
Bournemouth, tel: (01202) 451551
Dorset, tel: (01305) 224012

-ends-

EDITOR'S NOTES

Below are some examples of the twelve cons of Christmas:

In the first con of Christmas a barman sold to me: a short pint of frothy beer...
Each year surveys identify problems relating to short measure beer and drinks being substituted with cheaper brands. If you suspect you have been sold short, ask for a top-up and if you are concerned at substituted drinks alert your local Trading Standards department.

In the second con of Christmas a conman sold to me: two dangerous toys...
Take great care that the toy you buy your child is safe. Trading Standards Officers have already this year come across several examples of toys which are positively dangerous.
In Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, they seized "killer" expanding mermaids, alligators and sea creatures. Officers say the Taiwan-made toys, which grow in water to up to 200 times their original size, could kill if a child bit off a section and swallowed it. In Bournemouth dangerous toy axes with a four foot long shaft were discovered on sale in card and discount shops. Although made of plastic this type of toy weapon can cause serious injuries.

In the sixth con of Christmas a butcher sold to me: six "fresh" frozen turkeys...
Previously frozen turkeys sold as fresh birds defraud the public and are a potential threat to health. Special cooking instructions apply to previously frozen turkeys.

In the seventh con of Christmas my tree lights blew up: seven shocks I got...
Gateshead and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Trading Standards departments recently prosecuted an importer who had brought in thousands of Christmas tree and other seasonal lights from China, which failed to comply with electrical equipment safety regulations. They could, potentially, have started fires or caused injury.
Following an order by the magistrates more than 10,000 sets of lights were forfeited and ended up being crushed at a tip. Look for BSI and CE markings on electrical goods.

In the eighth con of Christmas a trader sold to me: eight fake computer games...
Imagine the heartbreak of your child when they open their new PlayStation game on Christmas Day - and it will not work because it is counterfeit. It is estimated that over £3 billion is lost every year by the UK industry to software pirates.

Pirated software may include viruses that ruin PC hard drives and pirated PlayStation games will not work on unmodified PlayStation consoles.

ELSPA issues the following advice on how to spot pirated software:
The quality of the packaging is usually poor with photocopied rather than printed inlays and no instruction manuals. Genuine PlayStation games are always on black CDs. If the disk is gold, blue or silver it is not genuine and will not work on a genuine PlayStation.
Like most counterfeit products, pirated games are rarely sold in recognised retail outlets. They are usually sold by street vendors or at car boot sales or by individuals advertising via classified adverts in local papers or shop window cards.
If a consumer comes across pirated software they should contact their local Trading Standards Department or telephone the ELSPA Crime Line on 0990 133405.

In the ninth con of Christmas I went to the January sales: nine offers no bargains...
No sooner Christmas is over than the sales start. But are you really getting a bargain? Trading Standards offers this advice and further information is available on the Institute's website www.tradingstandards.gov,uk:

Many traders use clever advertising techniques to get around the spirit of weak controls over comparative prices - compare the actual selling prices and not the size of the discount. The discount may not be all it seems - look for the small print. Large notices claiming, for example, "50 per cent off", often apply only to a very small number of items.
"Special purchase" often means the item has been brought in just for the sale so compare quality and price with other, similar products if possible.
When buying on credit compare the APR - annual percentage rate of interest - as a high discount may be offset by high credit charges.
Normal legal rights apply to sales goods and shoppers have full protection in law if goods are unfit, wrongly described or not satisfactory for the price paid.

In the tenth con of Christmas I joined a homeworking scam: ten months - no earnings...
Tempted to earn a little extra to buy all those goodies for your family at Christmas? Beware of the invitations to join in a homeworking scheme. Although some companies operate legitimate schemes some fail to pay up for completed work - or even ask for money up front for worthless information. Our message is to never send money in advance and, if in doubt about a scheme, contact your local Trading Standards Service for advice. The National Group on Homeworking provides advice on employment rights and minimum pay as well as health and safety issues.


In the eleventh con of Christmas I bought from world-wide web: eleven weeks - still waiting...
The con artists are never slow to capitalise on a new medium and the increasing use of the internet is no exception. They hide behind the anonymity of their computers, using their electronic scams across the world.

If you are shopping on-line find out whether the company you are dealing with has a secure site before giving your credit or debit card details.
Always pay for items over £100 by credit card as this gives added protection if something goes wrong.

Try to get an address and telephone number for the company, rather than just their e-mail number and, as with any other purchase, shop around for the best deals.
Keep an eye out for high postage charges or other hidden costs, such as VAT, particularly if the goods are coming from abroad.

If goods are coming from abroad you could face a big postage bill to return them if you decide you do not want them - check the company's policy on returned goods. Also bear in mind that if buying from abroad and you have a complaint about the goods it might be very awkward to get it dealt with. The best advice is not to buy very expensive items from companies outside the UK or Europe unless you know them well.
Attempt to get personal recommendations for companies if you have not dealt with them before.

Check with the trader how long goods will take to arrive, particularly if the items are coming from abroad, and set a delivery date by which you need them.
Print out the order and hang on to any terms and conditions which appear on the web site, in case of any dispute or problem later.


In the twelfth con of Christmas I bought Millennium Champagne: Twelve fake bottles...
The fakers are certainly out to make some "Bucks" Fizz out of the Millennium. Party-goers are clamouring for bubbly. But all that bubbles is not Champagne, even though it may bear labels purporting to come from the top makers. Trading Standards around the country have recently discovered "Millennium Champagne" bottles which contain an inferior sparkling wine.

North Yorkshire officers discovered an alleged illicit factory set up in Leeds producing fake Moet & Chandon. Businesses and consumers are advised to be aware of unusual sources of supply at discount prices. Retailers are reminded that if they sell on fake Champagne they will themselves be committing offences under the Food Safety and Trade Description Acts and could be prosecuted.