How not to get caught at a car boot sale
Thursday, 5th August 2010.
With the car boot sale season well under way in Haverhill trading standards officers from Suffolk County Council have issued advice to sellers and customers.
Copies are illegal - There are an ever-increasing number of counterfeit goods entering the market, including clothes, entertainment, computer software and artistic works.
Counterfeit cigarettes and alcohol are often of an inferior quality, with the cigarettes having higher levels of nicotine than genuine brands.
How to avoid problems?
• Only purchase from conventional sources, someone who can be found and contacted in the future if there are any issues.
• Wherever you buy get itemised and dated receipts.
What to look for?
• Pre-recorded audio CD’s will have poor quality artwork, no name on the disc and the disc may have its colour reversed.
• Pre-recorded DVD will have no hologram, no age classification and colour reverse on the disc.
• Perfume will have no cellophane and no batch code numbers.
• Clothing will have no branded neck label, poor quality printing and embroidery.
Electrical Equipment -
You should be cautious of selling or buying electrical items, unless the goods have come from a reputable source and have been tested.
Also check for the following:
• Signs of overheating
• Damage to the item
• Frayed or loose cables
• Check the plug is marked with approval numbers from BSI/ASTA
Toys must not:
• Be flammable
• Have sharp edges
• Have detachable small parts
• Contain toxic substances i.e. toxic paint
When selling, remember:
Descriptions - you will be in breach of contract and committing a criminal offence if you untruthfully describe goods.
Buyers Rights - Whether the goods are new or second-hand they should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If these requirements aren’t met the customer has rights to damages.
It is an offence to display signs that restrict a customer’s rights eg: “SOLD AS SEEN” or “NO REFUNDS”.
Age restricted sales -
It is a criminal offence to sell the below products to children under the following ages:
• Tobacco (18)
• Knives (18)
• Solvent (18)
• Video, DVD, Games (classification on product)
Pricing -
Traders are required to clearly price their goods, as it is illegal to mislead buyers e.g. charging more than displayed.
Private Sellers -
If you are genuinely not a trader, you are mainly exempt from consumer law; except for:
• If you sell unsafe goods, if an injury occurs a claim could be made against you.
• If you untruthfully describe the goods, you maybe in breach of contract and liable for damages.
Stolen Goods -
The penalties for dealing with stolen goods are high, including arrest and prosecution. If you sell stolen goods, the buyer is entitled to their money back.
If you have any questions and what you can and can not sell at a car boot sale please contact Suffolk Trading Standards at tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk or 01473 264859.
Copies are illegal - There are an ever-increasing number of counterfeit goods entering the market, including clothes, entertainment, computer software and artistic works.
Counterfeit cigarettes and alcohol are often of an inferior quality, with the cigarettes having higher levels of nicotine than genuine brands.
How to avoid problems?
• Only purchase from conventional sources, someone who can be found and contacted in the future if there are any issues.
• Wherever you buy get itemised and dated receipts.
What to look for?
• Pre-recorded audio CD’s will have poor quality artwork, no name on the disc and the disc may have its colour reversed.
• Pre-recorded DVD will have no hologram, no age classification and colour reverse on the disc.
• Perfume will have no cellophane and no batch code numbers.
• Clothing will have no branded neck label, poor quality printing and embroidery.
Electrical Equipment -
You should be cautious of selling or buying electrical items, unless the goods have come from a reputable source and have been tested.
Also check for the following:
• Signs of overheating
• Damage to the item
• Frayed or loose cables
• Check the plug is marked with approval numbers from BSI/ASTA
Toys must not:
• Be flammable
• Have sharp edges
• Have detachable small parts
• Contain toxic substances i.e. toxic paint
When selling, remember:
Descriptions - you will be in breach of contract and committing a criminal offence if you untruthfully describe goods.
Buyers Rights - Whether the goods are new or second-hand they should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If these requirements aren’t met the customer has rights to damages.
It is an offence to display signs that restrict a customer’s rights eg: “SOLD AS SEEN” or “NO REFUNDS”.
Age restricted sales -
It is a criminal offence to sell the below products to children under the following ages:
• Tobacco (18)
• Knives (18)
• Solvent (18)
• Video, DVD, Games (classification on product)
Pricing -
Traders are required to clearly price their goods, as it is illegal to mislead buyers e.g. charging more than displayed.
Private Sellers -
If you are genuinely not a trader, you are mainly exempt from consumer law; except for:
• If you sell unsafe goods, if an injury occurs a claim could be made against you.
• If you untruthfully describe the goods, you maybe in breach of contract and liable for damages.
Stolen Goods -
The penalties for dealing with stolen goods are high, including arrest and prosecution. If you sell stolen goods, the buyer is entitled to their money back.
If you have any questions and what you can and can not sell at a car boot sale please contact Suffolk Trading Standards at tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk or 01473 264859.
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