Mobility aid market comes under OFT scrutiny
The mobility aid sector – which sells items such as wheelchairs, and stair lifts – attracted 5,000 calls to the OFT last year
Mobility aids will be scrutinised by the Office of Fair Trading to determine whether consumers are well informed and treated fairly. The study, due to start early next year, will also consider whether the industry, which was worth £500m in 2008, is competitive.
Mobility aids are used by the elderly, disabled and those with medical conditions. They include wheelchairs, scooters, stair lifts, bath aids, hoists and adjustable beds.
The sector attracted 5,000 calls last year to Consumer Direct, the OFT-managed advice service, from people complaining or asking for advice. Consumer groups are concerned that the sector is not working well, with high prices and not enough choice, and that it is selling products that do not always meet a consumer's needs.
Prashant Vaze, head of fair markets at Consumer Focus, said: "Our research shows that there are potentially big problems in this area. Clearly, people using mobility aids are among the most vulnerable in our society and action needs to be taken to ensure they do not lose out."
Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of Which?, says: "We know there are problems with the way mobility aids are sold; our research shows that sales techniques range from the questionable to the downright illegal. If the OFT's study finds similar problems – and we believe it will – they'll be able to take action."
Mobility aids will be scrutinised by the Office of Fair Trading to determine whether consumers are well informed and treated fairly. The study, due to start early next year, will also consider whether the industry, which was worth £500m in 2008, is competitive.
Mobility aids are used by the elderly, disabled and those with medical conditions. They include wheelchairs, scooters, stair lifts, bath aids, hoists and adjustable beds.
The sector attracted 5,000 calls last year to Consumer Direct, the OFT-managed advice service, from people complaining or asking for advice. Consumer groups are concerned that the sector is not working well, with high prices and not enough choice, and that it is selling products that do not always meet a consumer's needs.
Prashant Vaze, head of fair markets at Consumer Focus, said: "Our research shows that there are potentially big problems in this area. Clearly, people using mobility aids are among the most vulnerable in our society and action needs to be taken to ensure they do not lose out."
Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of Which?, says: "We know there are problems with the way mobility aids are sold; our research shows that sales techniques range from the questionable to the downright illegal. If the OFT's study finds similar problems – and we believe it will – they'll be able to take action."
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