One salesman stayed for two hours!
Wimbledon residents are warned to be on alert for a cold caller trying to sell expensive orthopaedic equipment.
Concerned people have contacted Merton council and the police about receiving unsolicited phone calls from someone offering "free" treatment for various medical conditions.
They then try to arrange for a company representative to visit. However no free treatment is on offer, instead the representative, once at the person's home, tries to persuade the householder to buy expensive equipment.
In one case the salesman stayed for two hours trying to sell a bed for £2,500. This was then reduced to £1,200 before eventually being offered at £900.
Merton's Trading Standards are advising residents to contact them if they have been approached by any company claiming to offer free treatment. If anyone has bought a product from a visitor to your home, you should have been given a cooling-off period where you can change your mind about your purchase.
Details and further advice on dealing with cold callers can be found at www.merton.gov.uk/tradingstandards. You can also call Merton Council's Trading Standards team on 020 8545 4018.
September 12, 2013