Tracey Encourages Constituents to Follow OFT Guidelines for Mobility Aids

Tracey is asking constituents to follow the below guidelines from the Office of Fair Trading on buying safe Mobility Aids. 

 

Office of Fair Trading (OFT) – update on mobility aids

 

Since our 2011 market study, which found that unfair sales practices targeting elderly and vulnerable consumers were taking place through doorstep sales, the OFT has:

·         found that a mobility scooter manufacturer and seven of its online retailers breached competition law.

·         issued a Statement of Objections alleging that a further manufacturer of mobility scooters, and some of its retailers, have infringed competition law.

·         worked closely with another mobility aids company to improve its customer care.

·         worked with Trading Standards partners around the country by co-ordinating and sharing expertise, and tackling specific cases together to prevent unfair and misleading sales practices.

·         revoked the consumer credit licenses of certain mobility aids traders involved in high pressure sales.

·         reminded consumers about how to tackle unfair sales practices on the doorstep.

Further information can be found on our project page, including a recent interview on Age UK’s ‘Wireless’ channel, where OFT Senior Director Cavendish Elithorn discusses the issue.

 

Top Tips for consumers

·         seek better value by shopping around

·         research what product is better for your needs

·         check prices online – prices should be shown on retailers’ websites. We found that the same product can vary by up to £1000.

·         don’t feel compelled to buy a product from a doorstep seller if it isn’t right for you, or if you would prefer to take time to think about it and compare it with other products