Powermatic Adjustable Beds [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM] target the vulnerable elderly

Tim_Deegan

spuds wrote: »

Specialist beds for the elderly/arthritic are availble in specialist shops - go to a shop so you can see what you will get and can look in your own time without pressure. As far as I know none of the companies mentioned on here have a showroom where you can browse at leisure - what does it tell you about their product that they have to come to your home to sell it to you?

Hi Spuds.

I'd just like to add something to this statement. Although specialist shops do allow you to actually try the beds out, they too can be very expensive. There are many on line bed stores who also sell adjustable beds made by reputable companies, and are far cheaper than the stores who often have a 400 to 500% mark up on the prices.

I do realise that you can't try a bed out when buying on line. So for this reason you should allways ask advice over the phone first. If they are trying to get you to buy a model that you can't afford, or if they are giving you the hard sell routine, then just hang up.

Use a seller who gives a satisfaction guarantee, and doesn't charge you to take the bed away if you don't like it. These sellers obviously want you to make the right choice the first time, so are most likely to give you the most honest advice, otherwise it will cost them to replace it.

spuds_2

Thanks, Tim. That is good advice.

Bamber19

bargepole wrote: »

It's very sad to read some of the stories on this thread, and I'd just like to give a different viewpoint on the sales of adjustable beds/chairs.

A few months ago, I started working for a company that's been in this business for nearly 60 years, and provides adjustable beds/chairs with built-in massage motors to hospitals, care homes, and private buyers. (I won't name the company as the purpose of this post is not self-promotion, but a google search will soon get you the name if you want it, and it's none of the companies previously mentioned on here.)

The training is very thorough, and we give potential clients a trial massage using a portable unit to make sure they will benefit from it, before introducing the beds and chairs, of which there is a wide range to fit most budgets.

There is a strict ethical code under which we must never pretend to be medically qualified, never spend more than 2.5 hours on any visit, and not use any "hard sell" tactics - the prices are fixed, there are no magical "discounts", the customer buys the product or doesn't buy it, it's their choice. The products certainly aren't cheap, but are of far superior quality to some of the low priced items mentioned earlier, and our unique patented cycloid massage motors ensure improved circulation in the vast majority of sufferers from arthritis, rheumatism, etc.

It is possible for our salespeople to earn over £2500 in one week, but it's also possible for them to earn £0, and out of that they must pay all their car/telephone expenses, and account for their own income tax and N.I., so it's not the lavish lifestyle that some might imagine.

One of the saddest things that we see on a regular basis, is when a relative (usually son or daughter) of the sufferer calls up to cancel an order, accusing us of cheatng their father/mother out of their savings. What this often really means is that the son or daughter is happy to see their parent continue to suffer pain for the last few years of their life, rather than reduce the potential inheritance amount. Shocking, but absolutely true.

I suspect, like many of these companies, focusing in on the patented cycloid system, that you're selling a product with exaggerated claims about what it can do for your customers. The reality is, with most of these companies they're selling a product that no-one needs. You might not claim to be medically qualified but it probably doesn't stop you making claims about increased circulation and what that can do for a customer, with no original independant evidence to back it up. I hardly think the fact your staff can earn nothing sometimes should be seen as a positive, it just increases the temptation to employ hard sell tactics and get an old dear to buy a load of kit that wont do her much good and which she doesn't need.

And Enough of the guilt trip crap in the last paragraph, what it means is that people know there are a lot of scamming companies selling these products and they're simply looking out for their relatives.

spuds_2

MTM are More Than Mobility, same company as Powermatic Adjustable Beds, same as [TEXT DELETED BY ABUSE TEAM FOLLOWING COMPLAINT]. I agree with everything you say about them. I have sent you a personal message - click at the top of this page, near where it gives the time.


If this was fairly recently the victim will have 7 days from when the stuff is delivered to cancel. Could your nan tell this lady that? She should get on to her local Trading Standards asap. She should immediately cancel the cheque - tell the bank she thinks it may be fraud, they may be helpful. I am happy to do whatever I can to help.

NickSparkle

johnroberts07 wrote: »

My mum did a prize draw and then they phoned and asked could they call to see her. A "mr Banjo" a black guy turned up with a plant and a cream cake. She couldnt get rid of him and ended up signing up for a bed, chair and scooter. They refused to cancel it when i phoned, i got in touch with Age Concern and theywere very good and got it cancelled for her.

The company is craftmatic.

spuds_2

MSE is all about helping others - there are plenty of posts where you can post an amusing comment, but unfortunately this isn't one of them.

Anyone with further comments, info etc. can post on the new thread:

itinerantnortherner

I am so glad that I found this forum. I was contemplating applying for a job at their office in Cross Hands but now that I've seen they don't have the greatest of reputations (appearing on RogueTraders isn't the best thing for a business !), I don't think I will.

BTW here's their job advert with contact details which can be found through Job Centre Plus :

http://www.myjobsearch.com/browse/9654648ab0.html

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

Just in case there is anyone else who is trying to claim a refund, but they don't have any contact details, this is what I found on the companies house web site:

PURESLEEP(UK) LIMITED
UNIT 2
PARC MENTRE
CROSS HANDS
LLANELLI SA14 6RB
Company No. 05136129

spuds_2

Insolvency Service, you have a personal message from me.

Sadly, most of the victims of this company are 70 plus years of age (they find their targets by looking on the electoral register for those ineligible for jury duty, ie. 70 plus). They are therefore unlikely to be checking up about them on the web.

I am sure if you contacted West Yorkshire Trading Standards they would provide a substantial list of elderly customers who have paid thousands for a mattress worth c£150, if that. Obviously you could also contact the lengthy list of creditors of Powermatic and QOL.

I hope to hear from you soon.

marleyboy

One of the saddest things that we see on a regular basis, is when a relative (usually son or daughter) of the sufferer calls up to cancel an order, accusing us of cheatng their father/mother out of their savings. What this often really means is that the son or daughter is happy to see their parent continue to suffer pain for the last few years of their life, rather than reduce the potential inheritance amount. Shocking, but absolutely true.

Thats the lowest, slimiest, most pathetic statement I think I have ever read in my life, a feeble excuse for getting "caught out" I bet you dont have the bottle to say that to their faces do you., a bit too energetic for you to handle, and thats without the bed.

spuds_2

Well, there is a strange thing. There was a post in December from 'Insolvency Service' claiming to be the government Insolvency Service investigating Powermatic and QOL and asking people to contact them by pm.

I did this and have received no reply. Anyone else get a response?

I am looking into this and will let you know the outcome.