Phones Direct convicted after shock from travel plug adaptor
Published: 09.02.2010
Paul Scoble, of website seller Phones Direct, pleaded guilty to breaching the Electricity Regulations and was convicted in the Hamilton District Court on 17 December 2009 and fined $1,000 and $130 costs.
Paul Scoble pleaded guilty to supplying an unsafe travel plug adaptor, and also to supplying an illegal mobile phone charger, by failing to establish the safety of a mobile phone charger before offering it for sale.
Energy Safety prosecuted Phones Direct after a woman received a severe electric shock from a travel adaptor bought from Phones Direct in May 2008.
Richard Lamb, Energy Safety Compliance Officer, says the products ordered from a company in New Zealand were dispatched to customers directly from Hong Kong, a distribution method commonly known as “Drop shipping”. While this appears to be an efficient means of distribution, drop shipping does have some associated risks and suppliers should ensure that what is dispatched is legal and safe.
The best protection for consumers is to use a trusted supplier which sells items suitable for New Zealand conditions and approved for use here.
Paul Scoble breached Electricity Regulations 101 and 101A.
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