Counterfeit chainsaws

Trading standards are urging local people to think before buying a chainsaw. 

Up and down the country there have been an increasing number of reports of sales of counterfeit power tools including chainsaws. 

Just last week a court in Weymouth convicted a man with knowingly selling these dangerous, fake products.

The chainsaws are considered to be a particular safety hazard as the products have not been subject to stringent safety checks and do not feature the safety features found on the genuine articles. 

Peter Astley, public protection manager for the council said: “The sale of counterfeit goods undermines local retailers trying to make an honest living, and the sale of counterfeits also helps fund more serious criminal activity by those further up the supply chain.

"This matter is of further concern due to the potential danger posed by these items and we would urge anyone who has purchased one of these chainsaws not to use it.”

The chainsaws bear the trademark Stihl seem to be being sold directly to customers e. g. door-to-door or at car boot sales.

See www.tswarrington.co.uk for more.