Industry leaders from the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) have voiced their concerns over online forklift sales after the discovery of a forklift being sold via an auction site that was in poor condition.

Three months after advising the forklift's owner that the machine was beyond economical repair, a UK dealer was surprised to receive a call from the counterbalance truck's new owner.

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

"The customer was distressed as his 'new' truck had stopped working," says 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.

"Worse still, he faced a bill for several thousand pounds - nearly as high as the purchase price itself - to get this 'refurbished' truck back into working condition."

FLTA chairman Martyn Fletcher says such stories are not common, but the association is aware of a small number of rogue traders operating online that consistently sell trucks of poor quality. "The decision to purchase a forklift should not be taken lightly. You should approach purchasing a forklift online in the same way you would a car - with caution."

Fletcher gives these tips for buying forklifts:
1. Insist that the truck purchase is accompanied by the appropriate documentation, including a warranty and a valid Report of Thorough Examination.
2. Ensure that the dealer is reputable by appraising them, not just the truck. Do they have references? Do they belong to trade associations? Every FLTA Member is fully vetted before joining and must adhere to a stringent code of practice.
3. While online purchasing allows you to access trucks nationwide, hiring or purchasing from a local dealer gives the buyer confidence that your truck will be quickly serviced if and when problems occur.

Nominations for Archies now open
The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) is seeking entries for its 2013 Annual Awards for Excellence, also known informally as The Archies.

FLTA chairman Martyn Fletcher says: "However good your product, getting it noticed in a crowded marketplace is what really counts. Nothing does this more effectively - and over such a sustained period of time - than featuring in the awards."

To be eligible for the awards, new products or services must have been available for purchase in the UK from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012, or the products must have been fitted to equipment that was available to purchase.

"The awards are a great leveller. It's not about how big you are or how much money you make - it's about how good your product, service, or conduct is. On more than one occasion, we've seen small, young companies going head-to-head with established industry-leaders and win," Fletcher adds.

Entries are being sought for products and services in different categories, including: Environment, Ergonomics, Safety and Innovation. Nominations are also invited for the Safe Site Award (open to forklift owners and operators), as well as the prestigious Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Every successful nomination in the product and service categories will be included in the FLTA's "Pick of the Year", a definitive guide to the year's best products and services.

Entry forms are available for download from the FLTA website (www.fork-truck.org.uk/awards). There is no limit on the number of entries allowed, but nominations must be made by 30 September.