IPSWICH people are among more than 100 customers across the country to
have been duped by a water tank company under investigation by the
Fair Trading watchdog.
Based in Sydney, Aqua Conscious Pty Ltd took out a full-page
advertisement in The Queensland Times – along with several other
regional newspapers – last October, offering tanks in a range of
sizes, free delivery within 50km of Brisbane and bonus home
entertainment equipment.
Ebenezer resident Tom Bales was one of scores of water-wise
Australians to respond to the offer, ordering a 24,000-litre tank for
$2199.
He paid a $499 deposit for his tank on November 2 last year and was
told it would be delivered in a matter of weeks.
"Several weeks passed and nothing happened, so I rang a bloke called
Gary, who told me there had been an accident at the plant; one of
their trucks had reversed into some machinery and they'd been held
up," Mr Bales said.
"The next time I rang, they blamed the rain down in NSW."
Mr Bales' story is not dissimilar to that of another Ipswich resident,
Paula Morris, who is still waiting for her 3000-litre tank.
Mrs Morris has been unable to make meaningful contact with the
companies since placing her order last November.
The Aqua Conscious website has been shut down, with a message advising
people to deal with the company at their own risk.
An influx of complaints from residents across most states has prompted
an investigation from Fair Trading NSW which, along with the
Queensland Office of Fair Trading, is now warning people not to deal
with Aqua Conscious, Columbus Sales or an individual by the name of
Christopher Bruce Smith.
Christopher Bruce Smith was sentenced in December 2000 in the
Southport District Court to two years jail, suspended after six
months, after pleading guilty to defrauding a pensioner of $119,433.
Queensland Fair Trading's Brian Bauer said the Queensland and NSW
Office of Fair Trading received more than 130 complaints from
consumers who bought water tanks or paid deposits without receiving
the product.
"The companies and Mr Smith have not been able to demonstrate to NSW
Fair Trading that they have the capacity to fulfil orders, so
consumers need to be aware so no one else runs the risk of losing
money," Mr Bauer said.
Those who have paid by credit card should contact their financial
institution to see if they are eligible for a charge back.
Anyone affected has been urged to notify NSW Fair Trading by calling
13 32 20 or visiting www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
