Fair Trading uncovers trader’s non-supply

A Gold Coast trader has been convicted and ordered to pay $2,900 in fines and compensation after failing to provide boat covers and carpet for a consumer’s boat.

On 12 September 2022, in the Southport Magistrates Court, Veon Royce Burke, who trades as JVM Trimming, was fined for breaching the Australian Consumer Law after being prosecuted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Mr Burke was found guilty of one charge of failing to supply goods and services within a reasonable time.

He did not attend court and the matter was heard ex-parte. He was fined $1,500 and ordered to pay $1,400 in compensation to the affected consumer.

The court heard that in August 2021 a consumer paid $1,400 in cash to Mr Burke as a deposit for boat covers and carpets to be replaced.

Mr Burke rebooked the services on several occasions between August 2021 to April 2022 but failed to do the work on each occasion and he did not refund the $1,400.

The Commissioner for Fair Trading, Victoria Thomson said traders need to honour their responsibilities.

“Consumers are entitled to request a refund for unsupplied goods or services and if the matter remains unresolved, seek assistance from the OFT,” Ms Thomson said.

“The OFT will continue to take up issues for consumers who do not receive what they have paid for.”

If consumers have paid for goods or services they have not received and have been unable to resolve the matter with the trader, they can lodge a complaint with the OFT online at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).