Pop-up furniture stores offer attractive competitions, but sometimes the amount of the winnings is lower than announced. To fight against these scams, the Pas-de-Calais departmental directorate for personal protection alerts consumers to these fraudulent practices.
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You receive a message by email or post telling you that you have won a gift in a furniture store. Delighted to be able to take advantage of it, you go with a smile to collect your winnings in store.
Sofas or even chests of drawers sometimes reaching a value of 12,000 euros, there is reason to be happy. Some customers are victims of deception regarding the value of the winnings. Like for example a piece of furniture advertised at 4000 euros, but which is in reality only worth 600 euros. This type of seller offers many discounts which turn out to be misleading. The Pas-de-Calais prefecture, as part of an annual control plan established by the DGCCRF, calls for vigilance on this type of scam taking place in stores with “precarious leases”.
By this term we mean rentals of commercial space of between three or six months. The objective of this type of abusive scheme for ephemeral furniture businesses, according to Robert Bréhon, member of UFC Que Choisir Lille: “Maximum sales for a minimum of time.” These leases often concern premises “obsolete and discreet” on the outskirts of cities, specifies a press release from the Pas-de-Calais prefecture. “Cthey are not stores in hard. They are rented inexpensively only for a few months”adds the member of the consumer defense association.
With a temporary premises in their pocket, furniture scammers lure consumers with advertising. “Most of the time they do make a big splash and employ an aggressive sales policy to attract customers and then quickly disappear. In this case, no after-sales service“says Robert Bréhon. The possible use of consumer recourse rights would seem complicated once the business has moved.
To fight against this fraudulent system which has existed for years, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture advises not to “not accept the invitation by telephone or by advertisement sent by post inviting you to go to a store established under a precarious lease.” Victims of these scams are encouraged to report themselves on the website signal.conso.gouv.fr or to call 08 09 54 05 50.
“The furniture sector is a dangler. Professionals play on the lure of profit from often very expensive products,” explains Robert Bréhon. Consumers, most of the time older people, who are more easily influenced, are often unaware of the broad price ranges for a sofa or piece of furniture between the low and high end.” Little aware of these commercial strategies, they often allow themselves to be fooled.
Professionals play on the lure of profit from often very expensive products.
Robert Bréhon, member of UFC Que Choisir Lille
The announcement of a gift won, these consumers go to these fraudulent furniture stores and are warmly welcomed. “But be careful, professionals don’t just invite them for their beautiful eyes”alerte Robert Bréhon.
The consumer, in confidence, does not necessarily pay attention to the fact that the gift he receives does not quite correspond to what he was owed. “Outside a traditional sales channel, it will be difficult for the scammed person to react”supports UFC member Que Choisir. Satisfied with his real fake gift, the individual tends to spend more in these furniture stores.
“In view of a significant population in the Tops-de-France, sometimes with low purchasing power, we attire easier for the consumer promising mountains and wonders“analyse Robert Bréhon.
But how to be wary of these scams? “There is nono reason but one professional YOU offer so big gifts. Amazing prices should ring a bell. You shouldn't sign just anything.”informs a Lille trader, furniture professional for 25 years. CThe discounts do not correspond to the market.”These scams have existed since the early 2000s.
Article to read >> Free gift scams in furniture stores: the right behaviors to adopt to avoid the scam
If the Pas-de-Calais prefecture warns of “precarious lease” scams, Ludivine Payraud, volunteer at the disputes commission of the UFC Que Choisir in Lille, does the same. “It's necessary pay attention to pressure from traders or sales conditions that are too vague”she recommends. The collective can guide the consumer on the legal procedures to follow.
You must be careful of pressure from traders or sales conditions that are too vague.
Ludivine Payraud, volunteer at the disputes commission of the UFC Que Choisir in Lille
According to the lawsuits, these deceptive practices can be the subject of convictions. “Scammers risk two years' imprisonment and a fine of 300,000 euros, according to article L 132-2 of the Consumer Code.”enlightens Christian Hanuslawyer at the Lille bar.
