Consumer Protection

Consumers seeking the services of a patio installer are warned to beware of a man who advertises via Facebook Marketplace.

Nicholas (Nick) Kay of Forrestdale, trading as Better Priced Patios (unregistered), has taken deposits totalling $18,120 from eight people since October 2019 for the construction of seven patios and a carport, but has failed to carry out the work or provide any refunds.

The complainants are from Golden Bay, Maddington, Midvale, Thornlie, Rockingham, Haynes, Harrisdale and Kelmscott

There’s a lot to like about demonstrator vehicles – they’re practically new cars with very few kilometres that sell for cheaper prices than you’d otherwise pay for a genuine new motor.

Another bonus is that clock only starts ticking on the time aspect of the manufacturer’s warranty (e.g. 5-years) on the date of purchase by a consumer and not while it’s in the dealership’s possession. Conversely, the distance aspect of the warranty (e.g. 100,000km) will be less the kilometres already travelled when the new owner takes possession.

Consumer Protection has issued advice for customers of Aussie Sheds Albany affected by the bankruptcy of its sole proprietor Armand Javellana.

The business closed this week after taking payments from consumers for the construction of sheds but has failed to supply the materials or complete the work. So far 38 consumers have reported paying a total of almost $500,000 for work yet to be commenced or completed.

Consumer Protection is warning consumers about an Albany shed seller who appears to have accepted a large amount of money in deposits and full payments but has failed to deliver.

In the past week, Consumer Protection has received 19 complaints against Armand Javellana, trading as Aussie Sheds Albany, from customers who claim to have paid a total of $226,000 but construction of their sheds is incomplete or has not commenced. Other people who may be affected are urged to come forward.

A man who operated a business selling specialist motor vehicle parts as well as conducting driver training courses was fined $10,000 by the Armadale Magistrates Court on 31 July 2020 and ordered to pay compensation to his disappointed customers amounting to $16,003.

Live stream scammers have targeted the Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards virtual event on Facebook prompting a warning from the consumer watchdog’s fraud prevention section WA ScamNet.

Due to COVID-19, the Consumer Protection Awards March 2020 in-person event was postponed and then cancelled, leading to a virtual Awards ceremony for the first time.

Commissioner Lanie Chopping says scammers who tried to hijack the live stream also tried to lure viewers away from other Facebook Live events being run by universities in Australia.

If you’ve seen an advert promising big returns on an investment in shipping containers, then our advice is to consider whether it may be a scam or Ponzi scheme.

WA ScamNet is aware of $800,000 of losses in Western Australia so far to a venture called Pacific Tycoon, which advertises investments in shipping containers and promises returns of up to 20 per cent when they lease it out on your behalf.  

The scheme is predicted to be successful because cargo shipment companies regularly have urgent requirements for extra containers and will pay premium prices.

A 53 year old Applecross man was fined $4,500 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 24 July 2020 after pleading guilty to buying and selling 52 motor vehicles without a licence.

The man, who was granted a spent conviction, had traded the vehicles between May 2018 and November 2019 in most cases using Gumtree. Not having a licence for this level of trading breaches the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said the campaign to stop backyard sellers was ongoing.

The McGowan Government has created a free conciliation service to assist renters and landlords reach agreement about coronavirus (COVID-19) related tenancy disputes, without having to go to court.

The aim of the Residential Tenancies Mandatory Conciliation Service (RTMCS) is for all sides to reach a fair and achievable solution through informal discussion. Unlike court where a decision is imposed, mandatory conciliation encourages renters and landlords to work together to come up with arrangements that suit everyone.

WA’s Commissioner for Consumer Protection is advising travel-buyers to read terms and conditions very carefully and be wary of ‘pay now/book later’ deals when purchasing holidays during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Lanie Chopping said that while regional border restrictions continue to ease in Western Australia, interstate and international travel restrictions are a different story and that means buying future travel can be risky.