CHRISTMAS shoppers have been warned over “toxic” toys and bottles of perfume filled with water being sold on the high street.
Birmingham locals looking for a bargain should be extra cautious, after the City Council seized scores of “dangerous” and illegal items.
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Some toys were found to contain toxic paintwork or have loose parts that could be a choking hazard for young children.
Others had sharp edges that might cut a small child’s skin.
Perfume and aftershave bottles being sold heavily discounted could just be water, Trading Standards warned.
The group added: “If the price seems too good to be true then it probably isn’t worth the purchase.”
David Benbow, head of service for Trading Standard at Birmingham City Council told Birmingham Mail that sellers will target individuals over Christmas.
This is when they’re most “vulnerable” as people look for good deals during their Christmas shop.
He provided some key tips to avoid scammers this time of year.
Buy from reputable sources
David advised shoppers to only buy from vetted shops – in other words, those in the wooden huts only.
The sellers pushing trolleys with flashing toys and lights are not verified so could be selling counterfeit goods.
He added: “People will be walking around with carrier bags with goods in their bags.
“They’ll pop up a table in an alleyway between shops and offer airpods and stereo headphones at a vastly reduced price.”
He warned shoppers to avoid cheap replacement parts for Christmas decorations or lights being sold on the market.
“There’s a lot on the market which haven’t been tested,” he said.
Look at the price
If the price looks too good to be true it probably is, warned David.
How to avoid scams at Christmas markets
Here is how you can avoid buying counterfeit items at a Christmas market:
- Buy from a reputable source. Avoid sellers who don’t have a stand or who are walking around selling items from a trolley.
- Look at the price. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often target Christmas shoppers who are looking for bargains so it’s important to stay vigilant.
- Check for the correct markings on goods. The CE marks are two symbols found on authentic items. Ensure what you are buying has these, as this means they have been verified by the UK and European authorities.
He added when buying products, it’s important to request a receipt as proof of purchase.
Shoppers should also check the label and ensure there is a full list of ingredients on the packaging.
Authentic perfumes should have a batch code reference, a UK representative address and a best before date on the package, he said.
The key is to only buy from reputable sources, as counterfeit perfumes have been seized.
He added: “People will be spraying the scent and it will smell quite attractive and then they’ll be given a sealed box – potentially of that perfume at a very discounted price.
“They will be spending that money and sometimes it’s children buying Christmas presents for their parents at a bargain.
“But it’s not until Christmas day that their parents open that sealed bottle and it contains water.
“Then they feel distraught as what they’ve got for their parents is nothing more than a bottle of water.”
CE mark
It’s important to look out for two marks on the box or wrapping of the toy.
The first is the CE mark – the conformity European mark – and the second is is the UKCA – the UK’s conformity assessed mark.
David said: “Either of those marks on a product will indicate that it’s been tested and assessed against all the relevant safety standards.”
He added: “Within those marks will also have any age restrictions for children. The dangers of buying toys without those marks are that they haven’t gone through any assessment or testing.”
Toys without these marks could also have loose parts that might fall off, which could be a choking hazard for small children.
“Some toys we found have sharp edges and spikes which can pierce the skin of children,” David said.
Goods without the important symbol could also have battery compartments that open easily – proving dangerous for children.