Issue Date:  -  Friday, 28 October 2005

Another fire wood merchant fined over short weight - Scott STYLES

Scott Styles of Mount Helena has been fined in the Midland Magistrates Court on three counts of selling and delivering firewood short of the quantity purchased and also for failing to provide a weight docket for a bulk wood delivery.

The prosecution follows a complaint from a Lesmurdie consumer that a delivery of wood that should have weighed 3 tonnes only weighed approximately 1.85 tonnes, about 38% down.

Mr Styles was fined $300 and ordered to pay costs of $400. Restitution of $175 to the consumer must also be paid.

“It has been no secret that we have stepped up both our random and regular inspections of businesses that deal in weights and those who do not trade honestly will be caught and prosecuted, no matter how small or large their business”, Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“The community expects us to police these areas and bring offenders to book, and that is what we will be doing”, he said.

In addition to wood, Consumer Protection’s Weights and Measures Inspectors receive and investigate complaints about short weight cake, poultry, meat, gas and various other pre-packaged goods that are sold by weight.

“If you suspect you have been short changed on any goods purchased by weight, do not use any of the goods and contact us immediately”, Commissioner Walker said.

Consumer Protection can be contacted on telephone 1300 30 40 54 or by emailing consumer@docep.wa.gov.au .