At some point, you’ve probably ordered something online only to have something completely different delivered. Thankfully this is no more than an annoyance, and you can send it back. But did you know that ordering electrical products online could turn out to be deadly?
While everyone loves a bargain, a lot of the time it’s worth spending that little bit more money to ensure quality. According to a report by Electrical Safety First, one-third of people in the UK, that’s 18 million people, have been victims of counterfeit scams while shopping online. Many people buying electrical products online have experienced either loss or damage, proving we, as consumers, need to be more careful with what we purchase online.
You can’t put a price on safety, and buying cheap, fake electrical products to save a bit of cash can turn your home into a safety hazard.
‘Sale’ Prices
Sellers of fake electrical products are smart. If you see an item on sale for a price just below the normal retail value, you may be fooled into thinking you’ve found a great deal. Do you research, as the deal may not be as great as you think it is.
Location
Take a look around the website you’re thinking of buying from. If you see no address or just a PO box, be wary. Fake electrical products are often made overseas and therefore aren’t safety tested. In some cases, companies are producing them quickly. As a result, the standard of care is lower.
Perfect Reviews
Reviews are great for learning from other people’s experiences with the product, but be mindful. If all the reviews are five stars, 10/10 reviews, be suspicious. Even the best items don’t receive a glowing review every time. Fake reviews are more common than you think, so always take them with a pinch of salt. Look around to see if the reviews match the same product on another site.
Real, Genuine, Authentic
Be careful if an electrical product is described as ‘real’, ‘genuine’ or ‘authentic’. Generally, reputable retailers don’t rely on these words to sell their items. However, untrustworthy retailers do.
Lookout For The Padlock
You should always look for the padlock next to the URL when buying anything online, as it shows that your payment details are safe. If you don’t see the padlock, don’t make a purchase.
Take a look at our other safety articles to ensure you’re doing all you can to keep yourself and your family out of harm’s way.
