November 25, 2009The
Office of Fair Trading is warning consumers to be careful about who they buy from, following a report of a 'car boot trader' peddling high-tech wares at a service station near Beenleigh.
Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor says two men have been spotted selling stereo systems from the back of a white van with Victorian number plates at the BP in Stapylton.
"The OFT has a clear message to consumers: be wary of purchasing from this type of seller because more often than not their products are overpriced and not up to scratch," Lawlor says.
"It's not until after they get home that buyers find out their new stereo or equipment is shoddy or doesn't live up to what was promised,” he says.
Lawlor advises consumers to think twice about traders who do not have an established business address or who only give a post office box or suite number.
"Also be cautious of those who can't or won't provide ID or contact details, or only an email address or mobile phone number," he says.
The Fair Trading Act's door-to-door trading provisions include ‘car boot’ sales, meaning the sale of any goods or service of more than $75 must come with a 10-day cooling off period and payment is not required until after then.
Breaking the law can incur a fine of up to $54,000 for individuals and $270,000 for businesses.