Gold Coast trader throws shade over consumer rights
A Coomera trader who supplied carports and pergolas has been convicted and ordered to pay more than $49,000 in fines and compensation after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) took him to court for leaving a string of disappointed consumers across Brisbane.
Cameron Jeffrey Dowel, who operated under the unregistered business name Ausmac Installs, was found guilty of breaching the Australian Consumer Law in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 11 March 2022.
The court heard that between June 2020 and March 2021, Mr Dowel provided quotes and took substantial deposits from consumers for a range of work including the construction, renovation and removal of carports at their properties.
Mr Dowel would attend consumer’s properties to start the initial work, including in some cases the laying of concrete slabs and supplying steel posts but then failed to finish off the jobs.
Mr Dowel was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $24,622 in compensation to affected consumers.
This court action follows the OFT’s previous prosecution of Mr Dowel’s in 2020 for similar breaches of the consumer law when he was convicted and fined $50,000.
Mr Dowel was previously licensed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) but his licence was cancelled and a three-year disqualification period imposed.
Commissioner for Fair Trading Victoria Thomson said the court decision served as a reminder to traders not to quote for jobs and accept money if they are not able to undertake or complete the work when they say they will.
“I would also encourage consumers to always do their research and to never pay large sums of money up front,” Ms Thomson said.
“Ask friends, family and neighbours for recommendations, check reviews, and ask traders for examples of their previous work you can visit and view.”
QBCC Commissioner Anissa Levy said tradespeople undertaking building work for sheds, carports and garages need to be licensed.
“Its important consumers only use licensed trades in order to have the protection the QBCC’s Queensland Home Warranty Scheme provides.”
“Consumers can do a free search to check whether a tradesperson is licensed on the QBCC website”
The OFT advises that if consumers have paid for goods or services they have not received they should raise the issue with the trader. If they are unable to resolve the issue with the business they are encouraged to make a complaint to the OFT either online at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).