Published Thursday, 23 October, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Watch out for itinerant door-to-door itinerant traders
Central and north Queensland residents have been warned to be on the lookout for itinerant traders attempting to sell overpriced and often shoddy machinery and other equipment.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said a fair trading investigation into the activities of the group of traders has found they may currently be operating throughout central Queensland.
“There appears to be several teams of these itinerant traders using false names and roaming around the state selling overpriced power tools and other equipment,” Mr Shine said
“These traders make their money by approaching consumers at their homes and attempting to sell generators, air compressors, high-pressure cleaners and fire fighting pumps and saying they can accept cash only.
“Consumers report that they are trying to sell products at up to double the normal price, often lying about the quality of the machinery.”
Mr Shine said a business at Yeppoon reported some itinerant traders attempted to sell them a generator just last week.
“Fair trading inspectors have been informed that a shipping container of new stock arrived in Mackay this week and it appears these products are likely to be distributed to local residents and businesses around the area.
“They may also attempt to target residents in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Gladstone, Emerald, Rockhampton and surrounding areas.
“It is believed the itinerants also intended to ship more goods to Cairns and they may be active in far north Queensland.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading had also received information that the dodgy traders may have attempted to ship some more machinery between states.
“These door-to-door itinerant traders are well organised, travel in groups and are very mobile.
“Fair trading investigations indicate they may be using the names John and Richard Sheridan to avoid detection.
“The Office of Fair Trading is continuing to exchange information with the Queensland Police Service, Immigration and other state fair trading agencies.
“If you are approached by a trader offering to sell you machinery, don’t rush into a decision. If something appears too good to be true, that’s probably because it is.
“You may end up paying too much for poor quality equipment.”
Under the Fair Trading Act 1989 door-to-door traders must:
• provide a written contract clearly stating the breakdown of costs, including GST and the total price for the sale of goods or services valued at more than $75
• allow a 10-day cooling-off period for consumers to cancel a contract, with no payments to be taken or work commenced during this time
• provide consumers with information about how to cancel agreements, and
• carry and present identification.
“If you are suspicious of a door-to-door trader, take down as many details as you can and report them to the Office of Fair Trading as soon as possible,” Mr Shine said.
For further information on the responsibilities of door-to-door trading in Queensland, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said a fair trading investigation into the activities of the group of traders has found they may currently be operating throughout central Queensland.
“There appears to be several teams of these itinerant traders using false names and roaming around the state selling overpriced power tools and other equipment,” Mr Shine said
“These traders make their money by approaching consumers at their homes and attempting to sell generators, air compressors, high-pressure cleaners and fire fighting pumps and saying they can accept cash only.
“Consumers report that they are trying to sell products at up to double the normal price, often lying about the quality of the machinery.”
Mr Shine said a business at Yeppoon reported some itinerant traders attempted to sell them a generator just last week.
“Fair trading inspectors have been informed that a shipping container of new stock arrived in Mackay this week and it appears these products are likely to be distributed to local residents and businesses around the area.
“They may also attempt to target residents in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Gladstone, Emerald, Rockhampton and surrounding areas.
“It is believed the itinerants also intended to ship more goods to Cairns and they may be active in far north Queensland.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading had also received information that the dodgy traders may have attempted to ship some more machinery between states.
“These door-to-door itinerant traders are well organised, travel in groups and are very mobile.
“Fair trading investigations indicate they may be using the names John and Richard Sheridan to avoid detection.
“The Office of Fair Trading is continuing to exchange information with the Queensland Police Service, Immigration and other state fair trading agencies.
“If you are approached by a trader offering to sell you machinery, don’t rush into a decision. If something appears too good to be true, that’s probably because it is.
“You may end up paying too much for poor quality equipment.”
Under the Fair Trading Act 1989 door-to-door traders must:
• provide a written contract clearly stating the breakdown of costs, including GST and the total price for the sale of goods or services valued at more than $75
• allow a 10-day cooling-off period for consumers to cancel a contract, with no payments to be taken or work commenced during this time
• provide consumers with information about how to cancel agreements, and
• carry and present identification.
“If you are suspicious of a door-to-door trader, take down as many details as you can and report them to the Office of Fair Trading as soon as possible,” Mr Shine said.
For further information on the responsibilities of door-to-door trading in Queensland, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874