Consumer Issues
When selling items it is important to be aware of a few basic safety precautions:
- Make sure you have plenty of information about the person coming to your home.
- Ask for a home phone number (not just a mobile number) before you arrange for a caller to visit.
- You may wish to have someone else with you when the caller visits.
As a purchaser you need to check that what you are buying is in good working order.
- Disabled Living Foundation factsheets give advice to purchasers.
- You have certain consumer rights when buying second-hand (eg the seller must accurately describe the product and any faults that need attention).
- If possible obtain a written description of the product from the seller before you buy, so that you can more easily get your money back.
The Trading Standards Institute provides useful tips on buying mobility products and lists the local trading standards offices. Buy With Confidence has over 600 businesses approved by local Trading Standards Services in South East England. Ricability produces in-depth consumer reports on a variety of disability-related products. Consumer Direct is the government-funded telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues.
