Bitumen Bandits strike again
Issue Date: - Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Consumer Protection has received reports from residents in Moora that the so-called “Bitumen Bandits” are operating in the area.
The agency’s Geraldton office received complaints from Moora consumers that they have been approached by workmen offering to lay bitumen driveways at bargain prices.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll has warned consumers not to deal with these itinerant traders.
“These traders use high pressure sales pitches to lure often vulnerable consumers in agreeing to have their driveways bituminised at low cost with the story that they have material left over from another job down the street,” Ms Driscoll said.
“However, the cost of the job is often more than it’s worth and our experience is that the work is usually sub-standard. It’s also difficult to track down these traders for a refund or to make a warranty claim if the consumer is not satisfied.”
The Bitumen Bandits are also breaking consumer law by not observing a ten day cooling off period. Under the Door to Door Trading Act, a trader who makes an unsolicited approach to consumers must not accept any money or carry out the work during this period.
“We are concerned that these people often target vulnerable consumers such as seniors in our community. In the past, some elderly people were intimidated into being driven to their banks to get the cash,” the Commissioner said.
If consumers receive any approaches with offers to lay asphalt driveways using left over materials at bargain prices, they should immediately say no and contact the Consumer Protection hotline on
1300 30 40 54 or consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au. Any information such as vehicle registration numbers or business details that may be observed would be useful information.
END OF RELEASE
(Consumer Protection is a division of the Department of Commerce)
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Media Contact:
Alan Hynd 9282 0961 or 0429-078791 alan.hynd@commerce.wa.gov.au