An Inishowen businessman has warned customers to beware of a group masquerading as members of his staff to sell goods from the back of a van.
Bernard Quigg of Moville Tool Hire and Q Hire in Carndonagh was alerted to fraudsters using his company name to sell equipment this past week.
He said the ‘pure opportunists’ are using his business cards and wearing jackets with his company name as they flog goods around North East Donegal.
The generators and power washers being sold by the group, he said, are of inferior quality and are being sold at greatly reduced prices.
Quigg told Donegal Daily that the scammers are targeting all kinds of people, although he has not been made aware of any flood victims being approached.
“I got a phonecall on Friday from a customer in Buncrana asking did I have anybody selling powerwashers out of the back of a van, but I don’t do that, I work from my shop here,” Bernard said.
“I was told they had my business card, were wearing jackets with Moville Tool Hire on it and were selling power washers at €1,500, reduced to €300.
“They are using our name to try and push business. They are pure opportunists that could land with a farmer or a construction worker. You could have a car parked outside a shopping centre and if you look like a candidate they’d be there.”
Several customers have contacted Bernard this week to say they fell victim to the scam. One man in Malin had handed over €700 for a power washer and generator.
Bernard is advising people in Inishowen not to buy from these dealers. He said people should be aware that the equipment being sold is of foreign origin and of lesser quality.
“The imported machines won’t last as long, and when you go to get repairs the parts will be difficult to find. They are not premium brands like what we sell, they are rebranded bargain basement machines.
“Don’t waste your money on these goods. Regardless of whose name these people use out of the back of the van. Go to your local store, should that be a co-op or a local plant hire,” he said.
Bernard is warning all customers to be aware of the sellers and to warn their family members. If you have been approached, contact details for Moville Tool Hire are available on their website. – movilletoolhire.ie
The Gardai have been notified and are monitoring the case.