Trading standards advice over mattress sales

RESIDENTS are being urged to not buy mattresses from people selling items from the back of vans.

Leicestershire County Council’s trading standards have received reports of residents in Birstall, Glenfield and Loughborough being approached and asked if they want to buy a mattress.

Residents were told that the mattresses were left over from deliveries. Despite being described as new and branded, they were poor quality and in one case a used mattress had been packaged to look like new.

Reports also suggest that the vans being used are fraudulently marked with the logos of well-known manufacturers and retailers to make the mattresses seem like a genuine bargain.

Councillor Joe Orson, cabinet lead member for Leicestershire Trading Standards, said: “Our main concern is whether these mattresses are safe products.

“These cheap mattresses may have been manufactured without any thought for safety despite there being strict flammability rules that need to be followed in the event of a fire.”

Gary Connors, head of regulatory services for Leicestershire County Council, added: “Reputable traders don’t need to cold call consumers in their home and sell goods to them from the back of van. Our advice is to never deal with anyone on the doorstep and never buy from a cold caller.”

If you have bought a mattress recently or have any concerns about this, please contact trading standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.