A POPULAR scam which sees people selling stereo and home entertainment products out of a white van has reared its head in Sheldon.
The Office of Fair Trading released a warning yesterday afternoon after the so-called boot traders were also seen operating at Wynnum and Springwood.
An OFT spokesman said he did not know if the events were connected but warned people not to buy the goods because they were usually overpriced, damaged or did not live up to what was promised.
"Buyers have no way to get a refund or exchange if the item is faulty, as car boot traders usually vanish after the sale," he said.
A Mount Cotton resident, who did not want his name used, said he was approached by two men while stopped at the traffic lights at the corner of Duncan and Mount Cotton roads yesterday.
"They got me to wind my window down and asked me if I wanted a surround sound system with rear speakers," he said.
The resident said he declined the sale but the men persisted, urging him to take a look at the goods and telling him they would be sold for a cheap price.
"They said that they had ordered two of them but only had to use one for a job so they had one left over," he said.
"I joked and told them I was happy to take it for free but they said to me that they needed to earn some cash for Christmas and that they would do me a good price.
"...They didn't look like dodgy guys or anything like that but you just don't know."
The resident said he called Crime Stoppers because he was worried the sound system may have been stolen.
He said the men were driving a white Toyota HiAce.
An OFT spokesperson asked for anyone who had seen the traders to phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) so OFT could track their movements and warn consumers.
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