Helmet buyers, don’t be taken for a ride

Helmet buyers, don’t be taken for a ride
The Times of India

Bangalore: Are helmet sellers taking you for a ride? Then, here’s your chance to complain.
With two-wheeler riders increasingly complaining that they are being overcharged and sold inferior quality helmets, the legal metrology department has been directed to get cracking against unscrupulous helmet traders.
In the surprise checks conducted by the department officials at helmet shops on Lalbagh Road, Siddaiah Road and Journalists’ Colony, overpricing and sale of non-ISI marked helmets came to light.
The officials booked 72 cases and seized more than 500 helmet boxes belonging to 15 brands from different shops.
Two-wheeler riders, who had come to buy helmets, explained to the officials how sellers were making a fast buck now that the helmet rule has come into force. A helmet, which usually costs around Rs 500, was being sold for Rs 1,200, the buyers complained. The officials found that many traders had smudged the maximum retail price (MRP) mentioned on the boxes. While some boxes had overpriced stickers pasted on the original MRP, others did not contain details of the manufacturer.
Later, the officials seized duplicate helmets being sold on Hosur Road, Old Madras Road and Tumkur Road. Four teams have been formed for this purpose.