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