Water tank ripoff hits Queensland and New South Wales

Tank customers left high and dry

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

www.QT.com.au

Consumers warned not to waive repair and rebuilding cooling-off period

Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology

The Honourable Robert Schwarten

31/01/2011

Consumers warned not to waive repair and rebuilding cooling-off period

The Building Services Authority has reminded home owners about the importance of following correct procedure when entering into a repair or rebuilding contract, including the retention of the five-day cooling-off period.

General Manager of the BSA, Ian Jennings, said home owners should not sign waivers on building or repair contracts that would remove the five-day cooling-off period.

"The cooling-off period gives home owners breathing space to ensure they are happy with their quote and it allows them time to obtain additional quotes to check that the original quote is a competitive one."

Mr Jennings urged home owners to obtain at least two quotes before signing a contract, to use only licensed contractors and to check their licence numbers with the BSA's free online licence search.

He also warned consumers about paying money in advance.

"I cannot emphasise too strongly the importance of not paying money upfront and not paying for incomplete work," he said.

"I understand people want to get repairs and reconstruction started as soon as possible but taking your time now when engaging a contractor could save time and expense later."

Suncorp stands out like a beacon in Queensland

With most of the other insurance companies making Scrooge look like the model of benevolence, Suncorp is standing out like a beacon to the people of Queensland.

In the wake of the state's disastrous floods, insurance companies have preyed on the very people who have paid billions of dollars in premiums over the years with subtle legal distinctions between floodwater, rainwater and storm damage.

In today's Sunday Mail, a full page advertisement by Suncorp on page 22 details the differences between flash flooding, riverine flooding,water damage and storm damage.

Whereas many other insurance companies slip and slide around these definitions like a boa constrictor, Suncorp covers them all automatically.

Suncorp remains true to its original SGIO roots as the people's insurance company of Queensland.

If householders have been dumped by their insurance company, they should dump them forever and go with the company which has protected Queenslanders for over four generations.