> On Sunday 2004 March 07 17:03, you wrote: > ... > > If they are not, then why are some traders still using illegal scales? I > > was under the impression that tens of thousands of scales belonging to > > rebellious traders have not yet converted. If these illegal scales do in > > fact exist and it is not the exaggeration of the opposition how is it they > > are being used uncertified? > > Because the TSOs have taken a decision not to prosecute them. The exact numbers are hard to know. > Remember that a lot of these traders probably HAVE bought legal scales, but may have held on to the old ones.
Prosecution may be a harsh and could back-fire. The best bet would be to confiscate the old scales if they are found to be in use. In the US analogue scales are very rare now, if they exist at all. The digital scale has replaced the analogue scale. I believe most US scales are dual as it is common to see the "kg" and the "lb" on the display, but with the "lb" illuminated to show it is in use. I'm not sure if the scales can be operator converted or if the conversion can only be done by an authorised person. >From what I've been told is that most traders who do have "metric" scales, they have the dual analogue type. They are legal because they display the kilograms, but because they also display pounds, the trader can sell by the pound in the disguise of selling by the kilogram. A digital scale would not allow for this type of "cheating". Can you tell us if this is the case? That is where analogue scales are more commonly used then digital? I wonder though if companies still produce this type or if these are just old scales that have been modified. What is your experience? > > ... > > > I've not seen an official announcement (the ECHR announcement went almost > > > unnoticed in the media) but I've heard that a memo has gone out to all > > > Trading Standards departments to enforce the law. > > > > Was that recently? So, we can now expect that those traders who are in > > rebellion will now be forced into compliance. > > Just after the announcement. One of our members was talking to her local TSD. > > > Are the Trading Standards just going to concern themselves with the scales > > only or with the ads too? > > Their main concern will presumably be the scales, as the legislation is clear. > However, the question of ads is still a murky one, and hasn't been tested in court, so they won't bring any prosecutions - merely advise. This is important issue along with the scales. If pound only or pound/kilogram pricing exists in a shop where there are legal dual analogue scales, then it is obvious that the trader is not complying with the spirit of the law. The existence of pound prices is in itself proof that the trader is not selling by the kilogram at all. I'm sure many of these traders are hoping that either a change in the heart of the government or a change in government will end the next phase scheduled to go into effect in 2010. That is the end of dual pricing and scale use. Thus the dual scales presently used will not have to be modified after 2010 if pounds are permitted to be used after this date. > > > Even though this situation is not news worthy , this lack of worthiness is > > in our favour. I'm sure the BWMA will make it seem like the whole country > > is backing them. But with quick action by the Trading Standards and lack > > of interest by the media should help the conversion go more smoothly. > > I was delighted at the lack of publicity. However, I still don't see TSDs wanting to take traders through the courts. > I'm a little worried that we may end up like Canada, where the legislation isn't enforced (though we're now further advanced than they.) I see no reason to have to go to court, since the test case ended the issue once and for all. There has to be an effective way of forcing the compliance without involving the courts. Confiscation of illegal property might be just as effective. Possessing an illegal scale may not be a crime, but using it for trade would be and that should warrant some type of action. Canada is not as much a lost cause as you may think. Even though the pound pricing was common through most of the '80s, the discovery of the 100 g pricing ended the pound pricing and thus pound pricing is now rare. I've only seen large bulk items priced per pound and these were things that you could not actually by mass. Like a crate of apples, or a sack of potatoes, or heads of lettuce, bunches of carrots, etc. Deli items and other products that actually are sold by mass are priced only per 100 g. Maybe a Canadian member of this list server can back me up on this. Whereas pound pricing appears cheaper then kilogram pricing, 100 g pricing appears cheaper then pound pricing. If the UK introduced 100 g pricing, the need for pound pricing would fade. Why doesn't the UKMA capitalise on this? > > > I hope you and others can keep us up to date on this, especially if you > > notice local shops that were not using metric scales now using them. > > I rarely use such shops, but will, of course, let USMA members know of any significant developments (I've just submitted a report on the ruling to Metric Today). > However, I do have to be careful about what I say (particularly about UKMA activities), as they have been known to read MT. You don't have to buy anything,. But I'm sure in your free time you could visit a few in your neighbourhood and see what they are doing and how they are doing it. Euric > > -- > Chris KEENAN > >
