Unscrupulous dealers sell bogus farm tools at agricultural shows

The farming community in Galway have been urged to be on the look-out for scams involving the sale of equipment which is “too good to be true”.

It has come to the attention of Gardaí that scam artists are frequenting marts and agricultural shows in Galway selling dodgy equipment like power tools and generators.

And it has been revealed that these pieces of equipment often contain popular brand names but, on closer examination, these are stickers that have just been attached to the items.

The Gardaí have asked farmers in Galway to report suspicious dealers who might be trying to trade stolen items.

But a senior source told Farming Tribune that a lot of what is being offered for sale are power tools that have been imported from Asia which ‘pack up’ after a few weeks.

Farmers have been advised to only purchase items from reputable suppliers who provide bona fide guarantees on the items that they are selling.

“It has come to our attention that there are people attending marts and agricultural shows in Galway who are selling, or trying to sell, equipment which is dodgy to say the least.

“If it seems too good to be true, then it normally is”, a Garda source added. “There are a lot of people selling equipment that will not work for more than a few weeks and farmers need to be aware of this”.

It seems that illegal operators are producing farm equipment at a number of local shows, displaying some popular brand names that do not relate to items on display.

Many who have purchased such equipment at knock down prices have not reported the matter to the Gardaí because of embarrassment over the fact that they have been duped.

But the Gardaí have urged the public attending marts and agriculture shows in County Galway to contact them about sellers of tools and equipment that are not what they seem.

It has been learned that power tools and generators with some popular brand names have been purchased at marts and shows and have ended up in the scrapheap within weeks of them having been bought.

Farmers have also been warned about a scam artist who is going around pretending to be a ‘bona fide’ seller of farm equipment.

It’s understood this man has already stolen up to €100,000 from unsuspecting farmers in other parts of the country.

He operates by approaching farmers offering to sell machinery or materials at a good price, but eventually leaves the farmer out of pocket.

It’s believed the fraudster is now operating at shows in the Galway and Mayo areas.