WENDY Mitchell of Business Horsham has warned consumers to be wary of a business selling coupon books in the Wimmera.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A company called Urban Promotions has allegedly been sending out sales staff to pressure consumers into buying the coupon books worth $99.95.
Ms Mitchell said the booklet was not a scam and it had legitimate business coupons inside it.
She said the alarming part was the way the sales representatives had put pressure on people to purchase the booklet.
Mrs Mitchell said anyone contacted about purchasing the coupons should ask to see the booklet first before buying it.
“It has forced people into uncomfortable situations,” she said.
“Consumers can get a copy of the booklet emailed to them and I strongly encourage doing this before you buy it.
“You can then determine the value for money and if it suits you as a consumer.”
The book allegedly has $1900 or more in savings.
“I don’t want to take away from the businesses – I just think people should consider before buying under pressure,” Mrs Mitchell said.
Voucher booklets have been around for many years, but Mrs Mitchell said she thought they were not as relevant as they once were.
“You used to actually save money with these but now it seems they are stepping in a different direction,” she said.
Mrs Mitchell encouraged people to look at the booklet in some form before making a decision.
“They are trying to get you to pay by credit card over the phone, which I do not recommend, otherwise they are taking cash at the door,” she said.
“My concern is that it is a legitimate company that is going about it in a concerning way.”
Mrs Mitchell has spoken to a manager at the company who said the business would talk to its staff.
“I am more than prepared to sit through with a consumer and go through the booklet,” she said.
A spokeswoman for Urban Promotions said the company did not target specific people.
“They are voucher booklets. We don’t pressure people into buying them, but they save money if they do purchase them,” she said.
“Maybe there are a few older people that misunderstand our sales techniques, but they do save money when they purchase them.
“They don’t have to buy them if they don’t want to – we will just move onto the next person.”
The spokeswoman said she was happy to answer any questions if there were concerns on 1300 737 777.