Denbighshire County Council’s Trading Standards Section has this morning (Wednesday) issued two warnings to about cold callers.
The first says: "We are warning residents to be on their guard as more reports of doorstep sellers have been reported..
"The authority has received information about attempted sales of mattresses out of the backs of vans by traders cold calling at consumers' homes and whilst walking down the street.
"In all cases the consumer must be on their guard, we do not know at this time where these mattresses are manufactured, whether they bear the correct safety labelling or if they are genuine branded product..
"The sellers are claiming that the mattresses are on sale due to wrong order at a local hotel or that they were the wrong sizes and they cant take them back to the factory.
"We understand that the mattresses have been described as Memory Foam, Luxury etc but we understand that they are carefully wrapped so you have no idea what exactly you are buying, until the salesman is long gone, by then its to late and you could be out of pocket..
"The sellers do not provide any paperwork or invoices and we are aware that they are using false business names and addresses. More importantly the seller is not complying with the Cancellation Regulations, that entitles the consumer when entering into a contract in their home, to have a seven-day cooling off period where they can change their mind and cancel the contract at no charge.
"We are urging the public not to deal with these sellers, you really do not know who you are buying from and if things go wrong, we will have no way of identifying the seller or rectifying the matter. If an offer seems to good to be true, in most cases it is.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."
* Denbighshire Trading standards are also warning residents to be aware of companies cold calling and inviting them to complete a questionnaire which may result in winning a hotel accommodation voucher.
The warning message says: "Members of the public are warned to be aware of these selling practices which may involve the sale of water and air purifiers. The trader will typically cold call and invite the consumer to answer some health related questions. Prize winners will be notified by phone which may result in a sales presentation in their home for water and air purifiers.
"Consumers who agree to buy a water purifier in this way legally have a seven day cooling off period during which they can change their mind and cancel the contract. To do this they must contact the company in writing to cancel.
"These companies target particular areas so we would urge residents across the county to be on their guard”.
“We are not aware of any issues with the drinking water in Denbighshire. Consumers should never feel pressured to sign up to anything and if they feel there may be a problem with the drinking water they should contact their water supplier.
"Salesmen trying to sell you something on your doorstep or over the phone could be anyone and you should not give out any personal information.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."
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