FOREIGN TOOL STEEL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 October 1925, Page 5

FOREIGN TOOL STEEL.

WARNING TO USERS. WELL-KNOWN FIRMS “BITTEN.” The offieer-in-eharge for H.M. Trade Commissioner (Mr W. D. Lambie) has received information which suggests that it is possible that attempts may shortly be made by representatives of certain foreign tool steel houses to secure orders which, if past experience in New Zealand and elsewhere is any criterion, may eventually have unfortunate results for the purchasers. The matter has aroused much attention recently in The Ironmonger and other trade organs at Home, and foreign operators have of late been active also in the United States, India and Australia. In view of the threatening danger to Dominion steel users some account' of the sharp practices and doubtful methods adopted by certain foreign firms with resounding titles and capable, gentlemanly representatives, may be of value. UNSUSPECTING VICTIMS ENTRAPPED.,

The procedure adopted is almost as old as the notorious “Spanish Prisoner” swindle, but simple as it is, is still sufficiently guileful to entrap many an unsuspecting victim, particularly as calls are principally made not upon established metal importers, but upon small manufacturing concerns, flourmills, sawmills, foundries, engineering shops andt municipal engineers. Wonderful tales are told of the cutting powers, resistance to hard wear and other qualities of a new steel, small samples of which are often displayed in a case. All too often the persuasiveness of the traveller results in the buyer signing what he believes to be a small sample order made out in metric terms. When the steel arrives the luckless purchaser finds that the unfamiliar metric dimensions have led him to order ten or even a hundred times as much steel as he desired, and that he is burdened with sufficient in some cases to last him for years. Nor does the steel exhibit the marvellous qualities anticipated. Steel for which before the, war as much as 3s Gd per lb had been paid was described by the aggrieved recipients as “mere rubbish.” In another case steel invoiced at £2OO per ton was valued by an expert at £3O.

INTEGRITY OP UNKNOWN FIRMS.

Those who have been “bitten” in the past need no warning to exercise the fullest care in placing orders with such representatives, and to satisfy themselves in difficulties may, however, be glad to' learn that at Home in several recent cases when the victims have in spite of threats of legal proceedings refused to accept delivery, the sellers have given way, either ordering the steel to be sold on their account by auction, or removing it. In one case, the buyers threatened a counterclaim; in another to charge for storing the steel if not removed at once. Still much trouble may be saved if buyers make sure of the integrity of unknown firms, and of the accuracy of documents which they 'are signing.