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

Tim_Deegan

sajji wrote: »

hi cheers tim & spuds for your suggestions which is a grate help, coming to your question i intially wanted the mattress. but due to my condition my gp reccomended adjusyable bed, as the position i sleep on normal bed is aggrivataing the pain more & with this bed i can adjust to the position i feel more comfortable in & the massage will reduce the stiffness in my neck & back. so i really do need the bed & the worse thing is i have to rely on online stores.as i live in small town & travelling out is impossible, because my mobility is grately affected by this condition. spuds where will i find the i wanna forum please let me know thanx

Using an on line store isn't a problem as long as the do have a satisfaction guarantee and a good return policy. However if you go for a normal bed seller rather than one who specialises in adjustable beds or mobility equipment, then you should get a much better price.

BFG_2

Absolutely agree with the rip-off scam aspects of this market sector.

Most of the scammers are fairly large concerns and usually started off in the US [where expoiting the vulnerable is rife] and the busioness model was then brought to UK.

Each and every time these firms are caught scamming, they cry 'it's just one rogue salesman and we've sacked him immediately'.

If these firms really wanted to PROVE that they are fair in their operations, they would do something more - such as agreeing to record all sales pitches and giving a copy to the buyer for later verification.

spuds_2

Click here for the I Wanna Buy it or Do it forum, Sajji:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=35

secretagent_2

Hiya
Thought id warn everyone that Sharon and Marc Jones who are basically the crooks behind these rip off firms such as powermatic are back in business cold calling about beds in Wakefield working out of an office but planning on moving again very soon.:mad:. Why arnt they in jail?

Tim_Deegan

secretagent wrote: »

Hiya
Thought id warn everyone that Sharon and Marc Jones who are basically the crooks behind these rip off firms such as powermatic are back in business cold calling about beds in Wakefield working out of an office but planning on moving again very soon.:mad:. Why arnt they in jail?

What name are they trading under this time?

spuds_2

I would be very interested to hear more about this. Marc Jones is still banned as a company director I believe, so I would think the DTI would like to know some more details.

I agree, they should both be in jail imo.

spuds_2

I was informed by another MSE'er that [TEXT DELETED BY ABUSE TEAM FOLLOWING COMPLAINT] are run by someone who used to work at Powermatic. In my opinion, the method is the same - cold call the elderly, pressure sell them an expensive mattress and then make things difficult if they wish to get the refund that they are legally entitled to.

I would advise anyone in your position to cancel the cheque immediately if they paid by cheque, immediately phone and then write cancelling the order. Contact West Yorkshire Trading Standards. You can do this through the Consumer Direct number - 08454 040506. When you speak to someone tell them it is about a company who are known to Trading Standards and you need to speak to someone quickly.

The fact that your parents invited them round does not matter - the law has changed and they still have a cooling off period of 7 days from when the goods arrived, not from when they ordered. From the Consumer Direct site:


"When to cancel: You can cancel at any time until:

• The end of the seventh working day after the day on which you receive your goods; or
• The end of the seventh working day after the day on which the trader agreed to go ahead with the service."

If they paid by credit card you can get a refund from the cc company. Even if you get a refund, please complain to Trading Standards as I can guarantee they are aware of this company and will be able to advise.

I am so sorry that your parents have had the distress of dealing with these people. My view is that these companies target the elderly because they know that they are more vulnerable to pressure selling and less able to act when they realise they have been misled. They count on their victims being too ill, afraid, or simply not having the energy needed to enter into a protracted fight for a refund.

Please let us know how you get on.

librarylady52

August 2009

BEWARE! These bed salesmen are working in PRESTON - cold calling and using their "questionaire" scam to gain entry and claiming to have got contact details from the NHS!!!

If you have elderly relatives please ensure they know about these people and what they hope to achieve once they have gained entry to their home!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to spreading the word about this problem...

spuds_2

librarylady52 - I would love to know more about your recent experience and any info you have on this. You can post again or send me a personal message. Click on my user name on this message and then click on 'send a personal message'.

Any additional information on the activities of More Than Mobility and AidsMobility.com is always welcome, as you regular MSE'ers know. The more people that post their experiences, the better.

trisontana

I see that old favourite Craftmatic was on tonight's Watchdog. Still up to their old tricks of frightening elderly people and promising them "discounts" after phoning a "manager". The beds started at nearly £5,000 "discounted" to £2,000.