Industry leaders from the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) have voiced their concerns over online fork lift truck sales following the discovery of a fork lift truck being sold via an auction site, despite the fact that it was in such poor condition that it had been previously condemned by an experienced fork lift truck dealer.

Just three months after advising the truck’s owner that the machine was beyond economical repair, the dealer was alarmed to receive a call from the counterbalance truck’s new owner. 

Having bought the truck online – without warranty or documentation – the customer turned to his local dealer, a member of FLTA, after spotting their service sticker on the truck.

“The customer was distressed as his ‘new’ truck had stopped working,” said Andy Pilkington, Managing Director of Allways Forktruck Services. “You can imagine his reaction when he discovered that the truck that he purchased in ‘as new condition’ had been written off just weeks earlier.” 

Martyn Fletcher, Chairman of FLTA, said: “Stories like these are by no means commonplace, but we are aware of a small number of rogue traders operating online who consistently sell trucks of poor quality. The decision to purchase a fork lift truck should not be taken lightly.”

He concluded: “While online purchasing allows you to access trucks nationwide, it makes sense to hire or purchase from a dealer that is local to you so that you can be confident that your truck will be quickly serviced if and when problems occur.”