Consumer Protection

There’s very little you can’t buy with a discount voucher these days, with group buying websites offering massive discounts on everything from restaurant meals and holidays, to groceries and car services.

While everyone loves getting a bargain, it pays to be cautious before buying vouchers online, especially in these tough times.

As the economy gets back on its feet post COVID-19, some businesses may consider offering their services on a discount site for an instant cash injection.

Toppled trees and fallen branches are a regular sight around Perth following high winds and thunderstorms, meaning winter is usually a busy time for the arborist industry.   

Hiring a tree-lopper or a tradesperson for any job should be a hassle-free experience, which is why consumers should exercise caution and research the businesses before engaging their services.

Consumer Protection received 55 enquiries and 18 complaints about tree loppers in the past 12 months, mostly related to operators not using due care and skill.

A Perth tree lopper with a dubious history of bad behaviour when dealing with consumers has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay a total of $22,380.60 in fines and costs after being convicted on appeal of breaching consumer laws relating to unsolicited sales.

A winter warning for consumers looking to have their fireplaces cleaned – stay away from a chimney sweep who takes your money but then wanders off without finishing or even starting the job.

Neil Michael Cole, formerly of Gidgegannup but now believed to be living in the Bunbury area and trading as The Wandering Chimney Sweep, has been advertising his services on Facebook Marketplace. On six occasions since September 2018 he has taken deposits from consumers as well as one full payment, but has failed to either commence or complete the work.

If you’re a Western Australian who loves to travel, then odds are high you’ve had a trip cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Hopefully your refund or remedy was sorted quickly, but if not, you’re certainly not alone. Complaints to Consumer Protection were five times higher in the period from March 1 2020 until now, compared with the same period last year.

Of the 625 travel-related complaints received, more than half were from consumers seeking refunds that were either denied or were offered credit notes instead.

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 search is on for outstanding WA individuals, organisations and groups who are strong advocates for consumer rights, with nominations open for the prestigious 20th anniversary Consumer Protection Awards.

The awards shine a spotlight on the great work being carried out in the community, such as offering advice, assistance and education; lobbying for change; creating greater understanding of consumer law; promoting product safety; or highlighting consumer issues generally.

Consumer Protection is advising WA holidaymakers to carefully consider the terms and conditions of their travel bookings in relation to cancellations or postponements, with recent border openings expected to spark a travel surge particularly over the Christmas and summer holiday season.

Travellers should consider what their options might be if border closures or restrictions are re-imposed before or during their dates of travel.

WA consumers are being warned about an asbestos and demolition operator who is misleading the community, by falsely claiming to hold valid WorkSafe licences which have expired or were once held by companies that have since been liquidated.

An Ellenbrook real estate agency has been reprimanded and fined by the State Administrative Tribunal for employing an unregistered sales representative.

HKY Real Estate Pty Ltd was fined $7,000 while the unregistered sales representative Shane David Penny was fined $1,500, in addition to costs of $500 each for breaching the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.