Dodgy USB chargers in the news

[king9017]

If you've read the news today, you will have heard about the NSW women who died from electrocution due to a dodgy USB charger. The person who sold her the charger face 2 years jail and $800K fine. I've noticed that the chargers pictured in the news today are currently available on eBay and many have been sold. Fair Trading has advised everyone not to buy or use these, and to dispose of them if you have them in your possession. I wonder what eBay will do about this?

Story:

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/About_us/News_and_events/Media_releases/2014_media_releases/20...

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/faulty-usb-phone-charger-blamed-for-sheryl-aldeguers-death-20140627-zsoc8....

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/woman-found-dead-holding-laptop-in-apparent-electrocution-...

[chezzy]

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@cq_tech wrote:
Chezzy, is there any particular reason you've not accepted the quote for $190?
Given the current economic climate I very much doubt you'd find anybody cheaper.

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Couple of reasons:

1) decided to try a site called Service Central which I had never heard of but a friend suggested it last night - so still thinking a couple more quotes might come through today

2) not necessarily going for 'cheapest' quote but one that ticks other boxes such as good communication/prompt issuing of quotes and even timing (if one sparkie was available sooner to do a job but had a slightly higher quote we might opt for that)

[cq_tech]

Fair enough, that sound logical to me. Just another thought, my local council provides a trade directory of lower-priced contractors from my general area; perhaps yours has something similar?

[chezzy]

$190 sparkie has ticked a couple of boxes so may well get the job, will book someone this afternoon

Might check out local council's website any see if there is any mention of local contractors...

[cq_tech]

Best of luck Chezzy, although it sounds to me as if you've got it all sorted now. 🙂

[chezzy]

Getting there, thanks. It has been quite an education. Hopefully sometime next week we will have a Safety Switch.

[lyndal1838]

Check your Home Insurance Policy...many companies have a list of local tradesmen who will come at short notice and offer good rates.

My Dad was able to get a plumber on a Saturday afternoon for an emergency after ringing his insurance company....same plumber later did some other jobs for him that I had been trying to find someone to do for several weeks.

[chezzy]

Hi Lyndal. It is not an emergency as such, I was just wanting to get something done asap rather than umming and ahhhing for another 6 months. Thanks for the information though!

[chezzy]

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@cq_tech wrote:
Best of luck Chezzy, although it sounds to me as if you've got it all sorted now. 🙂

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$190 job booked in for first thing Monday morning

[cq_tech]

Great to hear, Chezzy, and at a highly competitive price too.

Now to just make sure you don't get zapped before next Monday. 🙂

[8mangbecak8]

pretty sure from now on, the chargers will have a 'tick' as well as some cheapo insulation.