Mobility Retailers Come Under Office Of Fair Trading Scrutiny
Mobility aids improve the lives of elderly and disabled people
, helping them to live independent lives with the use of wheelchairs, scooters, bath aids, adjustable beds and stairlifts. For many people these clever devices allow them to live in their own home for longer, without the need for help from carers.Because of the types of people who need and use mobility aids, it's important that salespeople in this industry act with integrity. The Office of Fair Trading has recently announced it is to investigate the mobility market after over five thousand complaints were received as well as a damning report by consumer group Which about poor advice being given to customers and staff selling them inappropriate products.
Consumer Advisory group Which sent researchers to many retailers in the UK, acting as carers or relatives of people who need mobility aids. They then rated the advice that they were given by customer service staff against a specific set of criteria, including admitting gaps in their own knowledge and directing customers towards more authoritative sources of information and advice.
Unsurprisingly, they found that specialist mobility shops performed better than generalist high street knowledge, in terms of the knowledge of staff about the products, their use and the potential dangers. They also found that staff did not ask for a sufficient amount of information from interested customers to provide genuinely useful advice, including informing them that those with disabilities benefit from VAT exemption on mobility products.
The Office of Fair Trading have launched their investigation in 2011, trying to find out whether consumers are being sold the right mobility products, with ample relevant information and advice. They are also concerned about high prices and competition in areas where choice is limited. Because of the vulnerable nature of some of the users of mobility aids, it's important that they can make well-informed judgements on the products available with good advice being given by salespeople.
The mobility aids sector was estimated to be worth around five hundred million pounds in 2008, and is likely to keep expanding as numbers of elderly and disabled people rise. It's a sector which already leads to many calls to Consumer Direct, the OFT-managed advice line, and many people think the market should have been investigated earlier.
If you're concerned about mobility aid retailers and want to ensure you find the right product for the job, then choose a reputable company with a reputation to uphold. Don't be fooled by bargains or special limited time offers. Get the mobility product you need at a fair price, from a retailer who has the specialist knowledge you need in order to make that decision.
by: Bill Weston Unlocking Capital Raising Potential With Wholesale Investor Au Trading: Demand Of Coins What Makes You An Ideal Wholesale Supplier? Fibonacci Killer Indicator - it works independently so that you can select the trading platform Appliance Retailers: Air Conditioning, Refrigerator Prices Unlikely - Air Conditioning - Hc Network Isabel De Los Rios Rapidshare The Challenge Of Finding All-natural Natural And Organic Wholesale Makeup Hunting For Cheap Wholesale Makeup Plastic Very Little Brown Jugs And Bottles Wholesale Pre-approved Wholesalers - Wholesale Supplier Directory Realize The Best Wholesale Gift Store Themes For Your Displays Dollar Store Wholesale Distributors - Wholesale Dollar Store Provider Sticking to your normal habits when trading