Published Thursday, 19 June, 2008 at 11:35 AM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine Warns Brisbane Residents About Dodgy Car Boot Dealers
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine is urging north Brisbane residents to be wary of dodgy car-boot dealers selling sound speakers in the area.
“The Office of Fair Trading last week received a complaint from a consumer who was approached by two men in a white van at the Strathpine shopping centre,” Mr Shine said.
“The men claimed they were from an audio company, and offered the consumer a surround sound system at a very cheap price.
“They said they had received an extra unit on consignment that they hadn’t been invoiced for.
“The consumer said both men had a professional appearance, wore branded business shirts and offered high quality catalogues displaying several of the phoney sound systems.”
Mr Shine said the catalogue price for the unit was advertised as $3,699.00 and the consumer was sold the system for “a mere” $750.00.
“Unfortunately this person later found the speakers were not of the high standard claimed by the men and realised they had been ripped off.
“Anyone who is offered merchandise from the boot of a car in a public place should stop and consider the consequences before they purchase anything,” he said.
“You could be illegally purchasing stolen equipment or will almost certainly be buying an inferior product.”
Mr Shine said car-boot traders often make phoney and misleading claims about the items they sell, which are often overpriced and of lower quality.
“Consumers later find the goods are actually far from a ‘great deal’, and are left out of pocket with a product of a standard lower than they were promised,” he said.
Mr Shine said individual traders who make false or misleading claims face fines of up to $40,500 or $202,500 for corporations.
Consumers should be wary of car-boot dealers who:
• will not provide ID or contact details, or only provide an email address or mobile phone number;
• operate out of rental vehicles or vehicles registered in another state;
• do not have an established business address, or only provide a post office box or suite number.
“If you are approached by a car-boot trader and suspect the items might be stolen, get as much information as possible about the trader or vehicle registration number and contact your local police station,” Mr Shine said.
Report any scams or suspicious offers to the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
“The Office of Fair Trading last week received a complaint from a consumer who was approached by two men in a white van at the Strathpine shopping centre,” Mr Shine said.
“The men claimed they were from an audio company, and offered the consumer a surround sound system at a very cheap price.
“They said they had received an extra unit on consignment that they hadn’t been invoiced for.
“The consumer said both men had a professional appearance, wore branded business shirts and offered high quality catalogues displaying several of the phoney sound systems.”
Mr Shine said the catalogue price for the unit was advertised as $3,699.00 and the consumer was sold the system for “a mere” $750.00.
“Unfortunately this person later found the speakers were not of the high standard claimed by the men and realised they had been ripped off.
“Anyone who is offered merchandise from the boot of a car in a public place should stop and consider the consequences before they purchase anything,” he said.
“You could be illegally purchasing stolen equipment or will almost certainly be buying an inferior product.”
Mr Shine said car-boot traders often make phoney and misleading claims about the items they sell, which are often overpriced and of lower quality.
“Consumers later find the goods are actually far from a ‘great deal’, and are left out of pocket with a product of a standard lower than they were promised,” he said.
Mr Shine said individual traders who make false or misleading claims face fines of up to $40,500 or $202,500 for corporations.
Consumers should be wary of car-boot dealers who:
• will not provide ID or contact details, or only provide an email address or mobile phone number;
• operate out of rental vehicles or vehicles registered in another state;
• do not have an established business address, or only provide a post office box or suite number.
“If you are approached by a car-boot trader and suspect the items might be stolen, get as much information as possible about the trader or vehicle registration number and contact your local police station,” Mr Shine said.
Report any scams or suspicious offers to the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273