Warning to elderly

Press, 23 February 1980, Page 6

Warning to elderly

The Consumers Institute has warned elderly Christchurch residents to be careful when dealing with socalled painters who call at their homes. An Opawa couple, both m their 80s, had paid $9BO this week for a poor roof-paint-ing job which could have been done for a third of that price, said the Consumers Institute’s District officer (Mr J. S. Ainsworth) yesterday. He said. that several groups of “rip-off” painters were now working in Christchurch, preying mainly on the elderly. One group was believed to have arrived recently from Dunedin.

“There have been some shocking examples of exploitation of the _ elderly, amounting to what is really theft,” said Mr Ainsworth. “Some of these people do not even have their own ladders, so they are certainly not bona fide tradesmen,” he said. . There were several basic rules . which householders should follow when dealing with callers who purported to be painter and other tradesmen, and offered to dow work. “They should ask for the person’s name and full address, and should then take the-time, to check the firm’s credentials. It is important never to rush into

any contract,” said Mr Ainsworth. It was essential that householders also obtain a written quote for the proposed work — not an estimate — on a proper business letterhead. “If in any doubt, people should seek advice from another firm or from the Consumers Institute. They should never, on any account, advance money to tradesmen,” Mr Ainsworth said. t If a painter refused to answer any of a householder’s inquiries, or would not give a name or address, he should be asked to leave. If the person refused, the police should be called.