| Council News |
| Latest Information |
| News Archive |
| Subscribe to Mailing List |
| South Ayrshire Council County Buildings Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1DR Tel: 01292 612000 Fax: 01292 612143 Customer Services Opening Hours |
Fake Blades seized at Market
South Ayrshire Council Trading Standards Officers and Strathclyde Police have seized around three thousand pounds worth of counterfeit Gillette razor blades from two stalls at Ayr Sunday Market.
The raid followed a complaint from a member of the public that a number of traders were selling blades, which he alleged were counterfeits, at the popular local market. Trading Standards contacted the brand protection team for Gillette who agreed to send their brand protection specialist to accompany Trading Standards on a visit to the market.
During the visit the officers identified 2 stalls selling razor blades. These were examined and identified as fake by the expert from Gillette. This resulted in over two thousand suspected fake blades being seized. Reports are now being prepared for submission to the Procurator Fiscal.
David Thomson Manager of South Ayrshire’s Trading Standards said, “The complainant claimed that fake Gillette Mach 3 razors were being sold which in his words ‘ripped the face of you when you shaved’. He went on to add that he ‘liked a bargain but that these blades were dangerous’ and asked us to take action”.
Mr Thomson added, “Counterfeiters will copy any item they feel they can make money from as can be seen in this case. These razors are not produced to the standards of the originals, which means that they are not tested to the same degree as genuine blades. Potentially they could break and injure the user. Since the place or method of their manufacture is unknown there can also be no guarantee that the blades are sterile thus potentially exposing users to risks of infection. Consumers should be aware that because something is cheap it is not necessarily a bargain. At three pounds a packet these razors represent a saving of around two pounds fifty against the price of the originals in the shops but is this saving enough to risk endangering your health?”
If anyone has any concerns over the authenticity of any goods they have purchased they should contact their local Trading Standards this can be done in confidence and all complaints will be investigated. Please contact Trading Standards as follows:
Trading Standards Service
5-7 River Terrace
Ayr KA8 0BJ
May 2007
