Shocking truth about online electrical wares
BE SWITCHED on when you are shopping for electrical items online or you could be in for a nasty shock.
Sellers are exploiting reputable platforms such as Amazon and eBay to sell substandard or counterfeit electrical goods.
An investigation by consumer protection charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) uncovered products with serious safety flaws on Amazon, Amazon Marketplace and eBay.
The research, to coincide with World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, identified products with safety flaws, leaving buyers exposed to electric shock or fire.
One-in-three Britons has bought a counterfeit electrical item online, including tumble dryers, kettles, travel adaptors, and hair straighteners. Last year, ESF tested 50 counterfeit or look-alike Apple chargers and found 98 per cent failed one or more safety tests. The charity said it is too easy to set up a shop online and proved it by creating “Dangerous Electrical Ltd” using fake personal details. It is calling on sites to protect consumers and praised eBay for removing items that it flagged up.
CEO Phil Buckle said many appliances online were visibly substandard, counterfeit or had model numbers matching items on its product recall list: “If the price is too good be true, it probably is. Many fake goods are manufactured overseas, so check contact details.”
Bad packaging, substandard printing and spelling mistakes are tell-tale signs. “Trust your instincts,” he added.