Cheap scales could cost you pounds

Published on Thursday 22 July 2010 16:50

TRADING Standards chiefs have warned holidaymakers to be wary of using cheap luggage scales to avoid excess baggage charges after an investigation found many models were highly inaccurate.

Officers bought a range of brands from high street stores in Edinburgh, with some coming in as much as ten per cent off the mark, meaning travellers weighing 20kg bags at home could arrive at the city's airport to find they are more than 2kg over the limit.

This means they would have to either ditch 2kg of clothes before checking in, or pay an excess charge of up to 70 per bag with some airlines.

Trading Standards tested digital and analogue models ranging in price from 3-17. They found cheaper models were particularly unreliable and also found that analogue devices with a dial display tended to be less accurate.

Officers have advised holidaymakers to beware of faulty scales and to leave margin for error, adding that travellers should try to weigh their bags in a vacant check-in desk.

Colin Baxter, Trading Standards manager at the council, said: "We were surprised at the variations in weights the different scales produced and we want to make people aware that these devices are not always 100 per cent accurate.

"Now in the height of holiday season, and with many airlines now charging high fees for excess luggage, it is important that you are aware of the weight of your bags so you can avoid these extra charges wherever possible."

Officers regularly check baggage scales at Edinburgh airport but it is the first time they have checked scales, purchased from retailers ranging from bargain shops to department stores, for home use.

Earlier this year West Sussex Trading Standards officers found a quarter of the 330 baggage scales at Gatwick Airport were inaccurate due to constant use, meaning that thousands of passengers could have been charged excess penalties.

Passengers are being warned that many airlines have recently cut the amount of baggage that can be taken on board and limits vary between companies.

Tips to cut down on the amount travellers carry include putting heavy objects in hand luggage, and leaving space on the way out to make room for presents on the return journey.

Robert Aldridge, the city councillor responsible for Trading Standards, said: "These gauges don't have to go through the same controls as weighing machines at airports or in trade.

"The errors can also be made much worse depending on how they are used, especially when trying to hold a heavy case and read the display at the same time.

"For greater peace of mind we suggest people follow our tips, but they should always give themselves some leeway."