CONSUMER watchdogs are urging people to think very carefully before responding to offers in mailshots.
The advice comes after a resident in Hartlepool received a mailshot from a home shopping company.
It said that, in return for £33.49, customers would be sent a TV set of one of five different types, ranging from a Sony 28 digital nicam stereo to a 5.5in portable.
The reverse of the leaflet said there were one each of the more desirable TVs, and 5,000 of the portables.
Malcolm Graham, Hartlepool Borough Council's senior trading standards officer, said: "There is a 99.92 per cent probability that you will get one of the less desirable black and white models.
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