Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 18 February 2004

Half Price Shutters Convicted

A false prize offer of a roller shutter give-a-way has landed Julian Kaplan (55) of Noranda the operator of Half Price Shutters in Malaga with a conviction today in the Perth Court of Petty Sessions.

His company Westbay Corporation Pty Ltd was fined $3,000 plus $392 in costs.

Mr. Kaplan was fined $600.

At a Home Show in June 2002 Mr Kaplan conducted a competition offering roller shutters as a prize with the value of $3,000.

Consumer Protection alleged that Mr Kaplan conducted the competition with the intention of not providing the $3,000 prize as offered.

Mr. Kaplan’s lawyer Mark Andrews asked that a spent conviction be recorded for his client, but the magistrate who noted that the penalty had to be seen as a deterrent did not uphold this request.

"Competitions are very popular at fairs and trade shows and consumers have a right to expect that prizes offered actually exist and will be issued in a legitimate manner", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"I am very pleased with the result of this investigation and subsequent prosecution. The consumers who contacted us about this rort are to be commended for their part in bringing Mr Kaplan to book", he said.

The maximum penalty could have been $6,000 for Mr Kaplan and $30,000 for his company.

Consumer Protection can be contacted on telephone 1300 30 40 54.