Sales swindles being investigated

Consumers have been left out of pocket following the sales which offer branded goods at discounted prices.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chief officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, said : “The service has received a number of complaints throughout West Yorkshire from consumers being taken in by this scam.

“An investigation is underway following a number of recent one day sales conducted throughout West Yorkshire.”

The service said various branded goods were displayed at the sales and in some cases the swindle worked by using a ‘plant’ in the audience who buys a selection of expensive items at a discounted price.

A salesman then invites the audience to either bid on what they think are similar items, or offers the contents of a box for a set fee.

At the end of the sale sealed bags or boxes are handed over to the winning bidders but consumers have complained when they have opened bags they have found empty boxes, broken or faulty goods and cheap electrical goods.