Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 21 January 2003

Bayswater Hire Cars sentenced in court today

The hire car company that was found guilty of seven charges of misleading advertising was today fined the maximum penalty of $6,000 in the Perth Court of Petty Sessions.

Additionally Bayswater Car Rental Pty Ltd director Arnoldus Kluck of South Perth was fined $4,000 plus $3,044 in costs.Magistrate Barbara Lane said in court that she found Mr. Kluck to be obstinate, not wanting to comply and showed no remorse.

The car rental company and its director were prosecuted following complaints from consumers alleging discrepancies in the company's advertised prices and the prices they were later charged.

"This result sends a message to hire car companies that they are expected to operate openly and honestly or face the consequences", Deputy Consumer Protection Commissioner Gary Newcombe said.

"This court case has reinforced the need for the current National Working Party looking into the hire car industry and Consumer Protection's ongoing commitment in this area. "Increased regulation in the hire car industry could be seen in the future. "Consumers are entitled to receive what they see in advertising", he said.