by Scott BichenoThe parent company of PC World, Dixons Stores Group Retail, has been fined thousands of pounds by a Yorkshire court for selling second-hand equipment as ?ex-display?.
The company was fined ?5,500, plus legal costs, and ordered to pay ?2,184 compensation for sales made in April 2002. DSG Retail will appeal.
The case was brought by York Trading Standards. Spokesman, Matthew Boxall, said: "These computers were sold on information that was blatantly wrong. The company hadn't done enough to prevent the wrong impression being given - this case shows there are serious consequences for businesses that act in this way."
PC World gave the following statement to PC Retail: "This was an unfortunate case of human error which took place in 2002. There was no intention on our part to mislead our customers. We have comprehensive processes in place to ensure that mistakes are not made and during the hearing the judge praised our procedures. It is always our intention to provide our customers with the best possible level of service."
The issue of the selling of ?nearly new? equipment is becoming increasingly charged as downward price pressure means consumers are looking for ever better deals.
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