CONSUMERS WARNED ABOUT FAKE LEATHER JACKETS
Published Thursday, 09 August, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
Fair Trading Minister, Margaret Keech, has issued a warning to Brisbane consumers about itinerant traders trying to sell fake Armani leather jackets.
Mrs Keech said consumers should be wary if approached by anyone trying to sell suspect leather jackets.
“Fair Trading investigators in South Australia have advised us that some of the jackets might be coming to South East Queensland,” she said.
“A man approached a motorist at an Adelaide service station, and told him he had been working at a fashion exhibition where he had been given five leather jackets but it would be too costly to take them back to Italy.
“The jackets were in a bag with a numbered authenticity certificate slip inside an envelope, and the seller claimed they were worth between $1100 and $1300.
“The motorist bought two jackets for $200 each from the man, who was driving a small 4WD vehicle with Queensland number plates.
“The jackets were labelled with the name ‘Reportage’ which the seller said was a division of Armani.
“Armani Australia has confirmed it does not manufacture jackets under the label ‘Reportage’.
“The jackets did not have fibre content or care labelling instructions attached.
“Rogue traders like this man want to get rid of their fake goods quickly, and will use all types of hard sell techniques to make people feel they are getting a good deal.
“Consumers who buy from the boot of a car in public places like service stations or shopping centre carparks run the risk of being over-charged or buying products that have been misrepresented and have no warranty.”
To learn more tips and advice about recognising and avoiding all types of marketplace scams get a free copy of How to be Consumerwise from the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 13 04.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy on 322 51005.
Mrs Keech said consumers should be wary if approached by anyone trying to sell suspect leather jackets.
“Fair Trading investigators in South Australia have advised us that some of the jackets might be coming to South East Queensland,” she said.
“A man approached a motorist at an Adelaide service station, and told him he had been working at a fashion exhibition where he had been given five leather jackets but it would be too costly to take them back to Italy.
“The jackets were in a bag with a numbered authenticity certificate slip inside an envelope, and the seller claimed they were worth between $1100 and $1300.
“The motorist bought two jackets for $200 each from the man, who was driving a small 4WD vehicle with Queensland number plates.
“The jackets were labelled with the name ‘Reportage’ which the seller said was a division of Armani.
“Armani Australia has confirmed it does not manufacture jackets under the label ‘Reportage’.
“The jackets did not have fibre content or care labelling instructions attached.
“Rogue traders like this man want to get rid of their fake goods quickly, and will use all types of hard sell techniques to make people feel they are getting a good deal.
“Consumers who buy from the boot of a car in public places like service stations or shopping centre carparks run the risk of being over-charged or buying products that have been misrepresented and have no warranty.”
To learn more tips and advice about recognising and avoiding all types of marketplace scams get a free copy of How to be Consumerwise from the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 13 04.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy on 322 51005.