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Beware of mattress scams

John asked
20th December 2010

A fine article, John, and a conundrum which the public are faced with, almost daily, with ‘all that’ hard earned cash burning a hole their pockets. ‘It is a verifiable fact’ that people, generally, do not want to believe they’ve been ripped off after having bought something which first appeared to be a ‘too good to be true’ bargain, offered in a ‘Sale’. No business ever stayed in business by selling at a loss… and ‘loss leaders’ don’t apply here, and neither does ‘something for nothing’. Here are some good pointers [Extract] taken from Trading Standards’ tips, entitled, ‘BEWARE OF BOGUS BARGAINS’. For those who do ‘watch’ specific products you have an interest in, pay particular attention to point 4… the ‘disclaimer’ and the ’28 days’. ——————– “TRADING STANDARDS SALE SHOPPING TIPS JANUARY SALES – BEWARE OF BOGUS BARGAINS Some seasonal advice for sales shoppers – beware of bogus bargains. Be a sales sleuth to sniff out the real reductions!

Good sales shopping advice to remember is: 1. Shop around and compare prices to ensure price reductions are genuine: It is all too easy to fall for apparently brilliant bargains at this time of year – but shoppers should try their best to make sure that their bargains are everything they seem. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before parting with cash or signing up to buy goods. It is essential that shoppers take common sense precautions so they get bargain benefits not bogus bargains. 2. Be alert to sales gimmicks: In general, there should be an indication of the higher pre-sale price as well as the sale price but shoppers should look at the asking price and consider carefully if it offers them value for money. They should question all price claims and not be taken in by virtually meaningless terms like ‘special purchase’ or ‘bargain offer’ – and remember to call trading standards if they spot a so-called reduction which isn’t. 3. Always read the small print on sales offers: Look out for any conditions of sale prices to ensure that you do not part with more money that you originally thought. Some offers may require customers to buy a certain number of items before a reduction is given, or in the case of holidays, book for a minimum number of people. 4. Look out for in store notices disclaiming or explaining price claims : Pre-sale prices should be the last price at which goods were offered – and the goods should have been at that price for 28 consecutive days in the previous six months. Shops can however use disclaimers to get around the law, such as “higher price charged from 1st to 7th April 2001” or “higher price charged in our Oxford Street store”. 5. If you have any problems with any sale goods that you buy don’t worry, you have exactly the same rights when buying sale goods as you do when buying full price goods. Above all, remember to look at the price, not the reduction. It is impossible for trading standards officers to keep a check on retail prices so one of the best ways of detecting offences is through shoppers who have been eyeing up an item since before Christmas and notice if the sale price isn’t a genuine reduction. If so, then [contact your local ‘Trading Standards’.” ——————– If you are drawn to the price the item is ‘reduced’ from, you must ask yourself a few questions… … Was the item ever worth that original price?

And given those stores want you to believe they really are reducing the price to its current price… … Is the items’ price it has been reduced to, a fair, true and representative worth of the item at that price?

Fundamentally, is it worth it, to you?

Remember though, if you do buy ‘cheap’, be prepared to buy twice. And finally; “Wise men don’t need advice, fools won’t take it” BF GT.
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