Looks like this is going to be sorted out now. He received the gadget in the post, is sending it back and should get a refund. It wasn't an actual scam as such, just an unregulated company with a name verrry similar to TPS - Telecom Protection Service! Buyer beware... Ratbags, taking advantage of people's confusion on the phone, especially the elderly and hard of hearing.
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The Distance Selling Regulations were replaced by the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 from 13th June 2014. These enact the EU Directive on Consumer Protection and give consumers much more protection when engaging in distance buying (that's over the internet, by phone or by post). You now have 14 days from the day you receive the goods in which to cancel your order (for no reason) and the supplier must refund your original purchase cost including any standard shipping charges (you have to pay to send it back). It's a bit different if you buy a service rather than goods but you can still cancel. If they don't tell you that you have these rights upfront they are committing an offence. Contact Trading Standards if you have a problem.
Thanks for everyone's comments and information on this. The gadget has gone back with a letter, same day as it arrived, and an email sent as back-up. Waiting for a response, now.
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