Warning over sale of US bound clippers
Report by Horse and Hound 3rd May 2007. A clipper manufacturer is warning readers to take extreme care when buying clippers form ebay and other internet sites because of safety fears. Allun Williams, director of Lister Shearing Equipment Ltd, contacted H&H after a consignment of stolen clippers made for America started to appear on internet auction sites.
The clippers are manufactured with American plugs and motors, designed to run on a lower voltage (110V) than the UK (240V) and are dangerous if used in Britain. Three individuals have recently approache4d the company reporting problems.
"Nearly 300 clippers were stolen in January on their way to our parent company, Wahl," said Mr Williams. "Because they are for the US, they have a different motor for a lower voltage and were fitted with US plugs."
A member of Lister Shearing Equipment staff spotted the clippers- worth £287 new - selling on ebay. A distributor for the firm also contacted head office saying he had a customer asking if they could change the plug on the clippers.
"Some are being sold with travel adaptors other fitted with UK plugs" said Mr Williams, who reported the matter to police and ebay. "But while these let you plug into a UK socket it won't do anything about the voltage. I have not tried it but I expect the motor will go bang because it cannot take the high voltage."
"It could be a loud bang, it could be an explosion or it could over heat and melt. All could scare the horse, the person and be very dangerous"
Mr Williams advised readers not to be tempted to buy these clippers- which are beige and bear the name of Wahl, Star and Lister - and if they have done so already, not to use them.
"All our clippers have moulded on plugs so you can't unscrew them and replace a US plug with a UK one" said Mr Williams. "So if your 'new' clippers have a replaced plug it is likely to be one of these"
An ebay spokesman told H&H: "We would encourage anyone to report suspect listings to us immediately."
If you have any concerns, contact Lister on (tel: 01453 544832).
Copyright Horse and Hound Magazine
Thank you to Sally Hunt for sending this in.
Added on: 25/05/07.
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