Editorial: Sharks scent blood

Photo / File

There's something particularly unsavoury about people taking advantage of vulnerable consumers in order to make a quick buck.

This week the Bay of Plenty Times reported on a campaign launched by Consumer NZ aimed at deterring door-to-door sellers who target the vulnerable and the elderly.

The campaign involves distributing free "Do Not Knock" stickers to fight back against unethical door-to-door salespeople.

It is a sad indictment on society that such a campaign has to be launched but it appears to be sorely needed.

Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin says her organisation regularly receives complaints about the tactics used by some of these sellers.

Many cases involve elderly or vulnerable consumers, pressured to sign up for products they do not want and cannot afford.

Many will be retired and on fixed incomes. They can ill afford the expense and the pressure associated with paying down debt.

It's also a fair bet such pushy behaviour would have been far less common in their era and, as a result, they are less prepared to deal with such tactics.

Ms Chetwin cites cases of elderly people being sold $3000 vacuum cleaners that clean no better than vacuums sold for $100, and consumers being pressured to buy grossly overpriced household goods which requires them to go into debt to pay for.

Grey Power Tauranga president Christina Humphreys points out that many are trusting and may find it difficult to turn someone away.

She, along with Age Concern, also says many elderly residents are vulnerable to telemarketers and phone scams.

Not all door-to-door salespeople are using these tactics but consumers need to be protected from the sharks.