The public needs to be constantly aware of any goods offered door to door that are promoted as a real bargain, says Detective Greg Dalziel of Canterbury Fraud Squad.
"If you are offered a really good deal and discount by a door to door salesperson, who then asks for a cash cheque or cash, and doesn't give you a receipt - you have to ask yourself," he says.
But this is what a number of Canterbury people have been doing recently when offered supposedly good name German manufactured pots, pans and knives.
A group of salespersons have been selling door to door in Canterbury, (and possibly the South Island), a range of pans and knives supposedly sourced in Solingen, Germany.
The salespersons appear to be making false representations about their products.
The brand they are selling has a German name on the knife and packaging, but is manufactured in China, and is worth a lot less than the genuine article.
Detective Dalziel says that if you are interested in any items offered by door to door salespeople, do check them out.
"Don't be pressured," he says. "Do check the labels out on the company website. And be very careful who you give cheques and cash to. Post dating a cheque can also assist."
This particular group of salesmen are asking for cash or cash cheques, and not issuing any receipts, so there is no recourse for reimbursement if things go wrong or you change your mind. There are no guarantees.
The salesmen explain the `good bargain' by saying they are selling off items from a trade show.
The inquiry is still in the early stages. Canterbury Fraud Squad says they have received a few complaints but are sure that there will be others out there, but people don't like to admit they have been conned and `write it off to experience'.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Christchurch Fraud Squad.