Residents ripped off by conmen coal sellers

North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards officers have many local reports of seemingly bargain buys turning out to be a con.

The team, which is responsible for enforcing the weights and measures act in the county, says that many of the problems come from those selling door to door.

Many homes in North Yorkshire are still heated by solid fuel and with the long cold spell they have been running short of coal.

Although an average bag of coal costs just £13 many people are struggling to cover the cost and so stay warm over the winter.

Solid fuel should be sold in quantities of 25kg or 50kg bags but some traders are flouting the law and selling it in smaller amounts.

They are also breaking the law by not displaying their names and addresses on the side of their delivery vehicles.

They must also by law have a notice stating the weight of the bags that they are offering for sale to houseowners.

The county council’s trading standards officers will be stepping up spot checks on traders to make sure that they comply with the law and deliver the full weight.

Any that do not will have action taken against them by the county council’s team.

County Councillor Clare Wood, the executive member for trading standards, said care should be taken by residents.

She said: "Cowboys are undercutting reputable suppliers without declaring that their bags are smaller than the 50kg bags normally delivered.

"It makes sense to deal with a reputable local merchant rather than just someone who knocks on the door.

"If the coal merchant can’t be bothered to have a name and address displayed on the vehicle then they are certainly not bothered about complying with the weights and measures act.

"We will take a hard line against those who mislead consumers and fail to sell fuel in the proper quantities."

Anyone with a complaint about a solid fuel supplier should contact the trading standards team via Consumer Direct on 0845-4040-506.