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

Hapless_2

All these adjustable beds sales people are a scam, especially when you can get a super kingsize one from Argos for £900!

I had a salesman here for 6hrs trying to sell me one, he only left after I threatened to call the police.

MrsJ2008

If anyone is thinking of buying one of these beds please keep in mind that they are useless as they aren't height adjustable.

Old/infirm people struggle getting in and out of beds because of the height of the bed. Ideally you should buy one that is height adjustable so that you can raise or lower it to just below your bottom then lean on it, let the bed take your weight then gently lower the bed so that you can gently bend your knees and slip into the bed.

I used to work for a company that sold disability products and we used to get tons of calls from people who'd bought Adjustamatic type beds and found them to be useless for their needs.

The cost of those beds are terrible - we used to sell a top super duper model that looked like it was a trendy wooden bed and it was less than half the price of an Adjustamatic.

I'd recommend looking on the Red Cross website for their bed recommendations. The company I used to work for were Scan Mobility (short for Scandinavian) based in Lancashire. They have shops nationwide that sell their products. Haven't a clue what prices are like now as it's been over 10 years since I worked for them (good company as they didn't believe in the hard sell or ripping people off).

spuds_2

The 'beds' that Powermatic Adjustable Beds Leeds sell are not even beds - they are thin mattresses into which is sewn a vibrating pad. These pads are available from the UK importer for £44 - the 'beds' are sold at anything up to £3k, all depending on what the company can persuade the elderly person to pay. They don't care if it's their life savings - they'll take it.

In the case of one customer who has been in touch with me, Powermatic have alledgedly forged his mother's signature and details on to a form to make it look like she asked them to visit her, thus getting round the unsolicited calls laws.

Anyone with any experience of this company please post here or pm me. I am happy to hear of anyone with a positive comment but I believe that is unlikely (except for Welshbird's which we all know is fake, I suspect I know who that is) as their methods are so underhand and the product so poor.

nealallen

spuds wrote: »

I have not seen that programme - obviously wish I had. Do you know when it was on? Was it in the last year or so? I am frustrated by the inability of Trading Standards to stop this company - though I am told they are preparing to prosecute. I would certainly be interested in more details of this programme if anyone knows anything. Thanks.

Fortunately, I have no job and no hobbies so I can afford to make this crummy company my life's work.

I'd say it's gettin on for about 2 years since it was aired.

Here's a link to the show, you can contact the BBC and maybe someone there can tell you what the outcome was.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2308799.stm

spuds_2

Thanks for that - it led me to his own web-site, which has an email address so I'll contact him direct. Powermatic has only been registered as a company since Jan 2006, but I suspect they are the kind of people who close and reopen under another name.

pantsmell

My 88 year old dad has just been fleeced of nearly £4000 (all his savings) for one of these beds. I can't believe there are these sorts of people out there who would take advantage of the elderly. Do they not have parents of their own? What can we do?

spuds_2

Please send me a pm with your email address and full details. If they were cold-called you can cancel in writing within 7 days (send it recorded delivery). Contact West Yorkshire Trading Standards on 0113 2898241 right now. Please get in touch I will do what I can to help.

dazco

Anyone caught by these companies, just get in touch with trading standards. They are quite powerful now and can make these sharks jump.

The advice given earlier re; The Red Cross site. This is quite an expensive site and is in every way a commercial, money making site and therefore not impartial.

MrsJ2008

The Red Cross is not a money making site, it's a charity.

It may be an idea to get in touch with your local social services and ask whether you can 'loan' an adjustable bed or some kind of physical aid (back rest, scooter, wheelchair, etc).

Or

Check with your local NHS to see if you can apply for a grant. All sorts of help/grants are available, it's just not made very public!

spuds_2

Well, today there has been further developments - including what I believe to be intimidatory tactics from this company. They have also said in their letter that they will be taking legal advice regarding my comments on MSE and "the derogatory and false claims you have made. Should you wish to revoke the claims made on the above website we will defer from legal action".

This was on about page 5, now it's bumped up to page one.

They also say they will putting the details of their latest visit to my uncle on MSE. I am sure we will look forward to this.

Anyone else who has had unsatisfactory dealings with this company please contact me and Trading Standards on 0113 2898241, West Yorkshire Trading Standards Services, Nepshawe Lane South, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0QP.

I am happy to let the Small Claims Court decide on the merits of our case and the tactics of this company. Keep your pm's coming.

Seems like Welshbird doesn't believe in free speech after all.