Buyer Beware

Buyer Beware, presented by Philip Boucher Hayes of RTÉ's Radio Investigative Unit, uncovers the business dealings and practices that have prompted complaints from disgruntled consumers throughout the country.

Our reporter follows up these complaints as he travels around Ireland, and further afield, in pursuit of individuals and businesses both large and small.

Episodes

Programme 1

The Baptist minister who set up a divine investment scheme that went horribly wrong. Philip interviews three girls who invested their life savings, and travels to Sligo to find out if they will ever get their money back. Also, Philip investigates the Charity wall planner that may not have been all it seemed. He talks to some of the small Irish businesses who handed over money in good faith and to the Charity that lost out, and heads to England looking for answers.

Programme 2

The pitfalls consumers can encounter when buying a used car. Philip exposes the sophisticated manner in which cars are 'clocked' and 'cloned', and how easily these cars move around the Irish market undetected. He also investigates the lesser known ploy of merging two damaged chassis together as one car, commonly known as cut-and-shuts.

Philip learns what to look out for to avoid ending up with a 'hot' car in your possession. In Ireland at present, the best way to find out about a car's history is to ensure the car has a verified and documented service history. In relation to 'clocking', do not assume that National Car Test (NCT) odometer readings are a certification of the car's mileage as no car undergoes an NCT until it is at least 4 years old, and any mileage alterations that may take place during this time will not be discovered during the car's first NCT. Aside from this, there are other tell tale signs from the car's physical appearance, which can help in determining if a car is a cut-and-shut, or if it has been 'clocked' or 'cloned' - for further information consult the NCA's Guide to Buying A Used Car.

Programme 3

Philip discovers the perils of booking a holiday online, and he meets the puppy who was at death's door just days after it was purchased.

Philip learns how easy it can be to be led astray on reputable holiday booking websites. To avoid the risk of being left high and dry when you book your holiday online, always be cautious when asked to pay by bank transfer, and only pay in full when you arrive.

Selling puppies in a pet shop is not illegal, but some animal experts think this poses health risks for the animals. The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) tells Philip its concerns about puppies being sold in pet shops. In light of this, animal-lovers should bear in mind in the run-up to Christmas that the best way to purchase a puppy is from a reputable breeder from the site of where the dog was actually bred.