Fear Over Forceful Traders and Mobility Scooter Scammers

It’s bad enough that people are tricked and scammed into making purchases by fraudulent traders but it is especially sickening when they pray upon the elderly or disabled.

This disgusting act has been going on all over the place for a very long time, but recently Derbyshire County Council has revealed that it has received numerous complaints from vulnerable and elderly people about companies that are using bullying tactics to get sales.

This particular, recent spell in the Derbyshire area has seen residents receiving cold calls from businesses that are giving the impression that they are actually calling from social services or other health agencies such as the local PCT (Primary Care Trust). This trickery is used in order to obtain a persons trust and to gain access into peoples homes by making appointments fir ‘needs assessments’. It is only when they have gained access into peoples homes that they reveal that they are actually sales people trying to sell mobility products. These bullies of sales people stay within peoples homes for hours pushing and pressurising them into a sale. Often they will not leave until the targeted person gives in and commits to purchasing a product.

Unfortunately instances like this are going on all over the place but this concentrated spate is due to the underhand tactics of one particular company in the Derbyshire area.Cabinet member for community safety Clive Moesby said "We are concerned that vulnerable people may feel pressurised into parting with considerable amounts of money in these situations”. Whist it is not illegal for businesses to cold call potential customers, they are being urged to conduct these canvassing exercises in an ethical manner and not to put people on the spot or to apply unnecessary pressure. Clive Moesby also added "If people do want to buy mobility products such as wheelchairs or scooters they should take their time and compare lots of different products and prices from different retailers before making a decision."

Requesting mail order product brochures or browsing products online are the best methods of comparing mobility products and prices. Online research is probably the most preferable as not only do you have a greater depth of information available at your finger tips, it can be completely anonymous without you having to exchange any personal details (unless of course you make a purchase). Better prices are usually available online, with online suppliers being able to offer good discounts due to the lower administrational costs of online trading.

REFERENCES

burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail-news/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=400015

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1152466/One-armed-presenter-scaring-children-parents-tell-BBC.html

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