Consumer Protection

Mistakes made on a property sale contract have resulted in a York real estate agency and its operator being reprimanded and fined a total of $6,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).

Avon Districts Professionals Pty Ltd, trading as Westerntown & Country.com.au, and supervising agent Nicola Di Giulio were each fined $3,000 and both were ordered to pay $700 in costs for breaching the Real Estate and Business Agents and Sales Representatives Code of Conduct by not exercising due skill, care and diligence.

A Perth carpenter has been ordered to pay more than $10,000 in fines, compensation and costs by the Midland Magistrates Court after taking deposits from consumers but failing to do the work.

Benjamin Dean McVilly, trading as BDM Carpentry of Caversham, was fined a total of $5,000 on three charges of accepting payments for carpentry materials and installation but failing to supply them, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. He was ordered to pay costs of $3,287.

Taking substantial deposits from two consumers and then not starting or finishing the jobs has cost a Kingsley handyman $10,000 in fines after he pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court on 22 November 2019.

Walter Steven Vermeulen, trading as Ratio Design, was fined $8,000 on one charge and $2,000 on a second charge of accepting payment for goods and services but failing to supply them in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. He was also ordered to pay legal costs of $977.20.

A mum whose 15-month-old drowned in an unfenced backyard pool has joined Consumer Protection and Royal Life Saving Society WA to launch a start-of-summer pool safety campaign.

A woman who falsely claimed to have a real estate sales representative registration while carrying out the functions of a property manager was convicted, fined $2,000 and ordered to pay costs of $349.50 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 24 January 2020.

People in WA wishing to donate to bushfire victims or to those fighting the fires during the current crisis are being urged by Consumer Protection to deal only with licensed charities to avoid being scammed or to avoid any doubt that the money will get to the right cause.

Fundraisers are also reminded that to collect money for a charitable purpose such as this requires a licence, or for a licensed charity to be involved.

After spending 43 years fighting for the consumer rights of everyday Western Australians, David Hillyard is retiring as Commissioner for Consumer Protection after taking a period of leave.

Before taking over the reins of Commissioner four years ago, David worked in many senior management roles where he was responsible for the regulation of the retail, service industries, motor vehicle sales and repair industries as well as the incorporated association and charity sectors.

Holders of Jeanswest gift cards are reminded to redeem them as soon as possible while administrators of the retail chain consider its future.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said Jeanswest customers should use their gift card sooner rather than later.

“We are advised that the stores are trading as normal and gift cards will be honoured, so customers should get in now and redeem them while these current arrangements are in place just to be on the safe side,” Ms Chopping said.

An online home furnishing store based in NSW has been taking orders and payments on its website but dozens of consumers Australia-wide have not received their goods or a refund.

Consumer Protection in WA has issued a public warning about Hub 9 Pty Ltd, trading as The Rattan Collective based in Nashua NSW (near Byron Bay). The Directors of the company are Darren Spencer Jarvis and Leanne Maree Jarvis.

A woman who sold arts and crafts products on Facebook but failed to deliver has been ordered to pay a total of $20,233 in fines, consumer compensation and court costs by the Perth Magistrates Court.

Kim Russell of Mariginiup, trading as Scrappy Kapers, was sentenced on 24 January 2020 for accepting payments from five consumers but failing to supply the products either within a reasonable time, or at all, which is in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.