Consumers warned about marketplace tradies

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning consumers to do their research before dealing with businesses advertising through social media or marketplaces.

Matthew John Moorcroft Carey who is a self-employed sole trader using the business name of Red Earth Valley Canvas and Trim has been charged and found guilty of ten counts of wrongly accepting payment from consumers to manufacture and supply Land Rover hoods and canvas, and then failing to supply those goods.

Mr Carey was fined $10,000 in the Pine Rivers Magistrate Court (3 February 2023) and ordered to pay over $14,000 in compensation.

Mr Carey obtained business from consumers by posting advertisements on social media and marketplaces, including Land Rover community pages. After contact was made Mr Carey issued invoices to consumers requiring full payment upfront.

Mr Carey made numerous false claims to consumers for the delay in providing orders after his promised completion dates had passed. Only one order was supplied by Mr Carey, however the supplied goods were found to be of poor quality and not fit for purpose.

If a consumer has not received the goods or services they have paid for, the OFT recommends approaching the trader in the first instance. If this is unsuccessful, they should lodge a complaint with the OFT at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Quotes attributable to Commissioner for Fair Trading Victoria Thomson:

“Queenslanders deserve to get what they pay for – and not get ripped off by dodgy traders.

“Consumer rights still apply regardless of whether the trader advertise their goods and services through social media, online forums or in-store.

“We advise consumers to do their homework by checking reviews and try to only use traders with good reputations to avoid disappointment.

“Ask friends and family for the names of traders they’ve used that they’d recommend. Ask traders for details of their previous customers and go and see their work.”