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Unfortunately not all people conduct their business practices in a fair manner. Sometimes the Office of Regulatory Services receives ongoing complaints about the same trader or business. When engaging a trader it is always good practice to ask for references. Check that the trader has an ABN and a physical address. Avoid doing business with a trader or business that will not provide more than a telephone number PO box number.
The Office of Regulatory Services investigates ongoing complaints about traders and businesses who engage in unfair practices, and do not comply with the law after the matters have been brought to their attention. The Commissioner for Fair Trading can issue public warning statements which may identify and give warnings or information about:
goods that are unsatisfactory or dangerous and people who supply those goods;
services that are supplied in an unsatisfactory way and people who supply those services;
commercial practices that are unfair and people who engage in those practices; and,
anything else that adversely affects or may adversely affect the interests of people in relation to the acquisition of goods or services from suppliers.
The Public Warning Notices Guide sets out the approach of the Australian Consumer Law regulators in regard to exercising public warning notice powers. While it is the responsibility of traders to comply with the Australian Consumer Law at all times, this guide assists traders to understand how regulators will exercise public warning notice powers.
If you have dealt with any of the traders or businesses below since the public warning statements have been issued, please provide details of your dealings to the Office of Regulatory Services .
Trader or Business Details
Description of Unfair Practice
Matthew Rixon believed to be trading as:
• Affordable Home Improvements • Affordable Fencing Solutions • Rixco Building • Rixco Electrical • Rixco Earthworks
Media Release – 25 July 2012
Public Warning Notice – 25 July 2012
Media Release - 19 October 2012 (Issued by NSW Fair Trading)
Media Release - 16 December 2012 (issued by NSW Fair Trading) and Photo of Matthew Rixon
Media Release - 13 April 2013 (Issued by NSW Fair Trading) and Photos of Matthew Rixon
Takes payment for work but consumers do not receive work and goods they have paid for and is difficult to contact
Is an unlicensed builder and an undischarged bankrupt
Is under investigation by the NSW Office of Fair Trading for similar practices interstate
Safety Compliance Pty Ltd
Media Release - 8 November 2011 (Issued by Australian Competition & Consumer Commission)
Public Warning Statement - 7 November 2011 (Issued by Australian Competition & Consumer Commission)
Made misrepresentations about occupational health and safety requirements and engaged in harassment, coercion and misleading or deceptive conduct.
Jason Humble trading as Humblewaters Pools and Spas Pty Ltd
Media Release - 20 October 2009
Taking deposits and failing to supply the goods.
Unsatisfactory Workmanship.
Edwin Mack trading as Vibe Kitchens
Media Release - 6 April 2006
Work not commenced.
Work not satisfactorily completed.
On one occasion a deposit was taken but work not commenced and refund cheque was dishonoured when banked.
Wayne Kelly trading as Premier Fencing
Media Release - 9 January 2008
Media Release - 29 September 2005
Media Release - 16 August 2005
Takes deposit but does not carry out the work.
Leaves work unfinished or in a sub-standard condition.
Consumer incurs costs of having work fixed or finished.
Fails to pay back money for incomplete work.
Fails to repair sub-standard workmanship in accordance with warranty conditions.
Trevor Karlsson trading as:
ACT Appliance Repairs ACT Approved Repairer ACT Service Centre ACT Service Provider Appliance Repairs and Sales Dishlex Appliance Repairs Fisher & Paykel Appliance Repairs Hoover Appliance Repairs Trevor Karlson Westinghouse Appliance Repairs
Media Release - 20 August 2004
Media Release - 12 August 2004
Public Warning Statement - 30 August 2004
Advertises as a repairer of electrical appliances and whitegoods and associates himself with major whitegoods manufacturers.
Diagnoses problems and repairs goods insisting on immediate payment however when consumer uses the goods or appliance the problem remains.
Advertisements provide PO box numbers and no physical address.
Uses different telephone numbers in his advertisements which give consumers the impression that the advertisements are for separate businesses, however each telephone number is diverted to the one number.
