The trading standards team at Bracknell Forest Council has directly intervened and helped residents and organisations save over £125,000 in the last year.
Bracknell Trading standards stepped in and helped local residents get refunds and savings of £65,000 for items ranging from rusty scooters and replacement TVs to faulty footwear and car repairs.
One Bracknell couple, Marcella and Bob Begbie, from Binfield, reclaimed more than £1,000 from a bathroom company and Margaret and Catherine Whitehead from Warfield got a refund of £1,700 from a will company.
Marcella and her husband became involved with the bathroom firm after responding to an advert in a catalogue. They paid £1,066 as a deposit for a new shower unit. The couple tried to cancel their order, only to be told they would incur additional charges of £740 if they pursued their attempt.
Mrs Begbie said: “When we tried making contact with the man that initially sold us the shower unit, we were unsuccessful, and he wouldn’t return our calls. I couldn’t believe the lies that I had been told and so I decided to contact trading standards. They were so helpful. Initially their calls were screened too, but after persisting they managed to get us our money back – we were so grateful for their help.”
In a similar Bracknell incident, Mrs Whitehead and her daughter were seduced by a stall in a Slough shopping centre which was offering two wills for £100. Later the same week she was telephoned by the company and asked to pay an additional £1,700 so that changes could be made to the wills at a later date. Mrs Whitehead only realised she’d been misled when she read about a similar story in a national newspaper.
Mrs Whitehead added: “As soon as I saw the article I called the will company to try and cancel. When they said no I made contact with trading standards, who got involved and helped me get my money back.”
From April 2009 to March 2010, the team also helped save taxpayers’ money by preventing over £60,000 worth of fraud from local authorities and national health trusts.
Robert Sexton, head of trading standards and services at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Our team has worked hard to try and save people’s money both directly by way of refunds and indirectly by tackling fraud against the public sector.
"Over the last year we have intervened and recovered £65,000 for Bracknell Forest residents when their own efforts have failed. I would urge anyone who feels they have concerns about a purchase they have made, fallen victim to a scam, rogue trader or been mislead to make contact with Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.”
Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Bracknell public protection, added: "These cases highlight how important it is to be aware of your rights and how to exercise them.
"There are unscrupulous people out there who wouldn’t think twice about ripping you off, so the general advice is purchase from established retailers or those that come recommended to you, know your rights, and if a deal seems too good to be true then it usually is."
For more information and advice about trading standards call 01344 352000.
Bracknell Forest Council