Published on:
18
December 2008
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Joint Trading Standards Service are warning consumers that there are large numbers of counterfeit GHD hair straighteners being sold this Christmas over the internet, in workplaces, in small ads and at markets.
The counterfeit products have been produced in China and are a poor copy of the original. Some of the products do not work at all while others work for a few weeks and then fail.
Because of the lack of quality control in these factories there may be electrical safety issues with these products.
Rosemary McLellan, Trading Standards Officer with Stirling & Clackmannanshire Joint Trading Standards Service said: "These products are being offered cheaply on web sites and in work places. They are being sold for prices ranging from £30 - £90. The genuine product retail prices start around £100. Our advice to potential buyers is to find a GHD authorised representative by checking the GHD approved online retailer on the GHD web site - www.ghdhair.com/uk, or by telephoning the Jemella Group on 0845 330 1133 or by purchasing them from a reputable high street store or hairdressers. Expect to pay over £100 and more than £150 for special edition models. Once you have bought the product register the straighteners online or by phoning the above number - and do it immediately. You will need to quote the product code. If there is a problem with registering your straighteners then contact Trading Standards for further advice.
"If you have already purchased the items check the product code and contact Jemella Group to register. Please do not wait till the product breaks down. Remember if you have bought the straighteners from a web site using Paypal or other secure payment method you only have a certain number of days within which to raise a dispute and ask for a refund."
Anyone who has already purchased the straighteners, there are a few things that they should check:
If any of these apply to your product then please contact Jemella direct or contact Trading Standards for further advice on 0845 277 7000 or email tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk.
If you are concerned about a seller of GHD products, please contact Trading Standards Service in confidentiality.