Cold Caller Warning – Vacuum Cleaner Sales

Trading Standards are warning residents to be on their guard after residents in the Wrexham area have been cold called at home by a business offering a free carpet clean.

In one instance the comapny informed a resident that all they wished, in return, would be that she recommend them to others, and bore them in mind for future reference. After a lengthy presentation at one of the homes the resident agreed to purchase the cleaner and they took away her current vacuum cleaner. The receipt they left did not indicate that they had removed her current cleaner. After they left the resident researched online and found that she could have obtained the cleaner at half the price.

On another occasion a resident agreed to purchase the cleaner, believing it to be £195. It was only after checking the receipt that she realised that it was in fact £1195.

Trading Standards would like to remind residents to be wary when purchasing anything at home following on from a cold call. However in some cases sales people will use a high pressure sales pitch whilst in your home to pressure you into purchasing their product.

Once the sales people are in your home residents can find it very difficult to say no, and are often subjected to hours of high pressure sales and pressured into buying a product that they do not want. Remember – if in doubt keep them out!

In most circumstances if you agree to buy anything costing over £35 you are entitled to a 7 day cooling off period in which you can change your mind. If you have recently been targeted and wish to change your mind, you should send your written notice of cancellation to the trader immediately. The trader must provide you with a written notice of cancellation, failure to do this is a criminal offence.

If you have recently been contacted about a free carpet clean or agreed to a visit or been sold a cleaner and want advice, contact Trading Standards on 08454 040506