The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (30 November) warned that the Coronavirus pandemic is pushing Welsh consumers away from the high street and onto online marketplaces, increasing the risk of purchasing dangerous electronic gifts this Christmas.
Electrical Safety Week Wales is 30th November - 6th December and research from consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First shows that three in five people in Wales plan to shop online for Christmas. The Charity is warning Welsh shoppers about the risks of buying electrical goods from online marketplaces this Christmas. The survey suggests almost 3 in 5 (57%) Welsh residents will be shopping from online marketplaces for Christmas this year.
The majority (58%) of Welsh respondents who are planning to shop from online marketplaces say they’re doing so because they believe these websites to be a safer way of shopping than going to the High Street during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Electrical Safety First is concerned consumers are simply replacing one risk with another, as multiple investigations from the Charity have unearthed dangerous electrical products for sale via third parties on these sites. The Charity is urging consumers to reduce their chances of buying dangerous electrical items by sticking to the stores or websites of known manufacturers and retailers.
Commenting on the new survey findings, Janet said:
“Concerns around the Coronavirus pandemic in Wales have led many people to purchase electrical gifts online this Christmas, as opposed to buying from the High Street and trusted local brands. As a new survey has revealed that a quarter of Welsh shoppers are planning to buy electrical gifts this Christmas, it is important that we all take steps to make sure we know who we’re buying from.
“If you have proof that your item is a counterfeit, you should always contact the supplier immediately to ask for an explanation. If there has been a mistake, this is the opportunity for them to clarify. You have the legal right to a refund if you’ve bought a counterfeit good. I’d also recommend protecting yourself by paying with PayPal or your credit card, as your purchase is more likely to be insured.”
Robert Jervis-Gibbons, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at Electrical Safety First, commented:
“It is totally understandable that many consumers in Wales are planning do their Christmas shopping online to avoid the high street this year. However, when it comes to electrical goods, it is really important to use the stores or websites of known manufacturers and retailers such as those found on the high street, rather than resorting to third party sellers on online marketplaces.
“Our investigations have found some extremely dangerous items for sale on these platforms and substandard or counterfeit products are often very difficult to spot to the untrained eye. Our proposed legislation – which you can support by signing a petition on the Electrical Safety-First website – would force these marketplaces to take active responsibility for the goods sold on their sites. But until this is passed, we must urge caution.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Electrical Safety First has issued these top tips for people who are shopping online: Make sure you are buying from a reputable supplier, like a manufacturer or retailer you would find on the high street; Check the packaging and item carefully, looking for tell-tale signs such as flimsy packaging or low quality printing, spelling mistakes or grammatical errors; All electrical products should have safety certifications on their label if they’re made by a legitimate manufacturer; If there is a certification mark on the packaging but not the product, it is likely to be fake; If you’ve purchased the product from a UK retailer, check to see whether the appliance has a three-pin UK plug or charger; If you think an item is not a genuine electrical product – never use it.
- Research commissioned by Electrical Safety First and conducted by YouGov surveying 1009 adults in Wales found that 57% of respondents answered ‘From online marketplaces (e.g. Amazon, eBay, Wish etc.)’ to the question ‘.In which, if any, of the following places do you plan to do any of your Christmas shopping this year? (Please tick all that apply)’
- Above research found that 58% of respondents who plan to do their Christmas shopping online from marketplaces like Amazon and eBay answered It's a safer way of shopping than going out to the High Street during the Coronavirus (i.e. due to the risk of getting/ spreading the virus)’ to the question ‘ You previously said that you plan to use online marketplaces for some of your Christmas shopping this year. Which, if any, of the following are reasons for this? (Tick all that apply)’
- For more on Electrical Safety First’s work on online marketplaces, including the full survey findings, visit https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/what-we-do/consumer-campaigns/online-campaigns/hidden-dangers-of-online-marketplaces/
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