All QLD Tree Services |
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning Queenslanders about the suspected unlawful business practices of a tree lopper which has been door-knocking neighbourhoods for work.
The OFT recently launched an investigation into the practices of All Qld Tree Services which has been active in the Sunshine Coast region recently.
Elevisi Moli is the proprietor of the Kingston, Brisbane-based business. Mr Moli and a group of several workers are known to travel around Queensland approaching residents door to door.
It was previously reported in the media that an elderly Maryborough woman paid the company $10,500 to have the branches on a tree in her yard trimmed.
OFT has previously taken enforcement action and also prosecuted Mr Moli in the Magistrates court for breaches of the unsolicited consumer agreement provisions of the Fair Trading Act and the Austalian Consumer Law. Mr Moli has also been named and his activities have been widely reported in the media.
The OFT is concerned the trader may again have broken door-to-door trading laws which are in place to protect consumers and advises Queenslanders to be wary if approached at home by this company.
Under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, door-to-door salespeople must:
- produce an identity card with the trader´s full name and address
- only contact consumers during certain times
- provide a written contract clearly stating the breakdown of costs, including GST and the total price when the goods or services are more than $100
- provide a 10 business day cooling-off period when the goods and services are worth more than $100. During this time no payment, including deposits, can be accepted and no work can be commenced
- provide a form outlining the consumer´s right to cancel a door-to-door contract and how to cancel the contract in the cooling off period
- provide a form to cancel within the cooling off period.
Members of the public can report the suspicious activity of a trader by submitting the online form or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Traders caught breaching unsolicited consumer agreement provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 face fines of up to $10,000 for individuals and $50,000 for companies.
Last reviewed 19/04/2013 |
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