Car boot trader may target North Queenslanders
Posted by editor (editor) on Mar 18 2010
2010 >>

Itinerant car boot traders spotted peddling hi-fi equipment in the Northern Territory may try to cross the border and target North Queensland next, warned the Office of Fair Trading today.

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said information received about the trader's number plates and equipment confirmed the pair of men were from the Gold Coast.

"They were seen in Katherine and Tennant Creek with a vehicle full of stereo equipment which they were likely to be trying to sell locally," Mr Lawlor said.

'My concern now is they might come back to Queensland and work their way down south. I warn Queenslanders not to buy products sold from the back of vehicles."

Mr Lawlor said often the goods were stolen, damaged or did not live up to what's promised.

"The products are also usually overpriced and the trader does a vanishing act afterwards," he said.

"Buyers have no way to get a refund, exchange the item or have it fixed if it's faulty."

Mr Lawlor said to be wary of any trader with no established business address or who only had a post office box or suite number.

“Also be cautious of traders who can’t or won’t provide ID, or who only have an email address or mobile phone number as their contact," he said.

“Those who operate out of rental vehicles or vehicles registered in another state may also be suspect.”

The Fair Trading Act's door-to-door trading provisions can include “car boot” sales which means transactions of more than $75 must come with a 10-day cooling off period.

Goods cannot be provided and payment cannot be made in this time.

Buyers should also get two forms – one explaining the cooling off period and one which can be used to cancel the contract if so desired.

Mr Lawlor said people who had information about car boot traders should take notes about the trader and their vehicle and contact the Office of Fair Trading by visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or calling 13 13 04.

Last changed: Mar 18 2010 at 1:51 PM