Consumer Law steps in

A CRANBOURNE business will be reimbursed $4000 after a Pakenham tradesman took customers money and disappeared.
Robert Turner, 39, was convicted in the Dandenong Magistrates Court for accepting payment from two businesses but failing to complete the work.
He has been ordered to repay them more than $6000 and pay fines of $7500 for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Consumer Affairs prosecuted Robert Turner, who traded as Classic Refrigeration and Catering Equipment, for breaches of the ACL after he accepted a $2179.20 deposit in October 2011 to install a refrigeration system in a Pakenham shop, but did not turn up to do the work and did not repay the money.
Mr Turner also received a $4000 deposit to install another refrigeration system in a Cranbourne business, but did not perform the work or repay the money.
The court convicted Mr Turner of both charges he was ordered to repay the customers in full – a sum of $6179.20 – and pay $2000 in legal costs.
People who believe a trader has acted unfairly should try to negotiate with them to reach an acceptable outcome in the first instance, however if unsatisfied with the response, advice is available from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Acting Director for Consumer Affairs Victoria Phil D’Adamo said the conviction served as an example of
how the ACL provided protection for small business consumers when they bought goods or services.
“It is an offence under the ACL for a trader to accept payment for goods or services but fail to provide them within the agreed timeframe,” Mr D’Adamo said.