Council consumer watchdogs are warning residents not to get their fingers burnt on fake designer hair straightening irons.
But there’s little chance of that because the dodgy irons don’t heat up properly!
Trading Standards’ chiefs have raised the alarm following a number of complaints from members of the public who have been stung for £50 in the coiffeur-related con.
The knock-off irons being sold in the borough are counterfeit versions of the top-rated ghd brand’s professional baby pink irons, which were a limited edition product, only legitimately available from October to December 2005.
The genuine articles, which included a pink-sleeved iron oil, were on sale for £135, but the counterfeit ones are being offered from anywhere between £50 and £135.
Wigan’s Chief Trading Standards Officer Julie Middlehurst says:
“We have had a number of reports that straightening irons we believe to be fake are possibly being sold in Wigan and Leigh.
“In fact we believe that whoever is selling these items is may be approaching hair salons as well.
“The counterfeit items have been found not to heat up properly so people risk paying a large amount of money for poor quality goods and being bitterly disappointed.”
The straighteners are a limited edition ghd professional baby pink iron.
They come in a pink box that also states they are supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Julie says: “One particularly nasty part of this is that the box pledges to donate £10 of the retail price to the cancer charity. Clearly if you buy a knock-off all the money will be going into the con-merchant’s pocket and not to charity.”
Trading Standards say that whilst they have only been made aware of the fake baby pink versions there may be further fake ghd editions being sold in Wigan.
Julie says: “Once again this proves the adage that if a deal seams to good to be true it probably is. Clearly people think they are getting a bargain but are ending up out of pocket because these fakes do not even work properly.”
She adds: “We would urge people not to be tempted on impulse if they are offered cheap irons such as these and only buy from reputable stockists and legitimate outlets.
“We would also ask anyone who is offered such items to let us or the police know.”
Anyone who believes they may have bought counterfeit goods and would like more advice can contact Wigan Council’s Trading Standards team on 01942 827476.
