Warning issued on pan pedlar

8:30am Sunday 4th May 2008

Comments (4)   Have your say »

TRADING standards managers are warning people across Oxfordshire about a bogus kitchenware salesman who claims to be working for the "council".

The doorstep trader has been peddling knives and saucepans, which he claims are made by the brand Kaiserbach.

However, the items are not designer brands and the salesman is not working for any local authority.

The products are often of reasonable standard, but consumers have complained about their quality in relation to the price they have paid.

They have also complained of pushy sales tactics and misleading information being used by the salesman.

Similar reports have emerged in other parts of the UK and across Europe and the scam is well known to trading standards and the Office of Fair Trading.

Nigel Strick, head of the county council's trading standards team, said: "We would strongly advise all Oxfordshire residents not to deal with traders who call at their house."

If you are at all suspicious about a doorstep caller, please report the matter to trading standards on 0845 051 0845.