Warning on on-line auctions

Residents in Staffordshire are being urged to beware of internet auction scams, following research by county trading standards officers.

They are warning people who buy goods through on-line auctions to check that they are not being denied their basic consumer rights. Councillor Carol Dean, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said research was carried out by Staffordshire's trading standards officers to mark National Consumer Week this week.

The survey of on-line auction sellers revealed that many traders fail to comply with the Distance Selling Regulations, which provide basic consumer rights when buying over the internet or by mail order.

Many of the sellers surveyed failed to provide basic information concerning their identity and location or advise buyers of their cancellation rights.

A number also used restrictive or unfair terms buried within small print to further erode buyers' rights.

Some of the advice provided by website hosts about cancellation rights was also found to be poor, serving only to confuse both buyers and sellers.

The survey was conducted on a sample of 50 traders offering fixed-price "buy now" style auction listings.

It found that 60 per cent failed to comply with the law as they did not make it clear to consumers that they could return goods if they decided they were not what they wanted.

Councillor Dean said: "In most instances, as consumers have not had an opportunity to examine goods before purchasing them, the regulations allow seven working days after receipt of the goods to examine them and decide if they want to keep them.

"If the goods are not what they expected, they can be returned to the supplier for a full refund. None of the retailers surveyed were found to comply fully with their legal obligations and consumers should be cautious when buying from these on-line auctions."

Consumers who buy or are considering buying goods on the internet should check out their rights on the website www.stafford shire.gov.uk/business/ tradingstandards or phone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for more information.