Residents encouraged to buy safely
Dudley residents are being warned against purchasing counterfeit electrical goods, due to the potential fire hazards they present.
With the convenience of internet shopping, an increasing number of people are moving away from high street retailers and are using online marketplaces, which often claim to offer products at lower prices.
Unfortunately, marketplaces can act as a platform for third party sellers to distribute their wares to millions of buyers under one roof. Sellers of counterfeit or substandard electrical products can exploit them due to the ease with which they can sell their goods to a mass market.
It can be difficult for consumers to know what they are buying, with no real guarantee that the product is genuine. Customers may even see the word genuine overemphasised, and this can be a red flag as trusted retailers do not need to make such claims on their goods.
Research from Electrical Safety First has shown that 30 per cent of people who had bought counterfeit electrical products got them from online marketplaces and it can be difficult to determine what products are listed by the retailer themselves or by third-party sellers on marketplace platforms.
Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said:
“Counterfeit electrical products pose a huge risk as they often contain faulty parts that can overheat and catch fire.
“We advise residents not to purchase household electrical items that appear to be fake and always look for genuine products that are CE or UKCA marked, properly labelled and with instructions from reputable traders.
“If you are buying, don’t be fooled by packaging or exteriors that might look like the real thing, as these products can lack the essential safety components. If a bargain looks too good to be true, the chances are it probably is.”
Further advice to consumers:
• When buying online, people should select a trusted retailer, directly from the manufacturer’s website or a trusted High Street name so if something should go wrong, products can be returned for repair or a refund.
• Purchasing fake electrical products can be dangerous as they often contain faulty parts that can overheat and catch fire or deliver a fatal electric shock.
• If an electrical item’s price looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• People should take care when purchasing electrical items through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace and should check if sellers have original proof of purchase and packaging. Fake or faulty goods can easily be disguised as the real thing.
• Electrical products that contain rechargeable batteries can be a fire hazard, as can the charging devices themselves. Trading Standards advise buyers to only use the charger that has been specifically made for the electrical product model. People should buy from reputable traders selling genuine products, ensuring they have a British or European safety mark.
Residents who believe they have an electrical product that is unsafe or dangerous should stop using it immediately and report to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. Alternatively visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/