Rug seller carpeted for misleading prices

Issue Date: - Friday, 14 December 2007

Persian Company Rugs in Howe Street Osborne Park has been convicted in the Perth Magistrates Court of making false and misleading representations about the price of their rugs.

The company and the company secretary Ali Abad Ali Aghapour were fined a total of $3,500 and ordered to pay $320 in costs.

"The community is constantly being bombarded with high profile advertising when it comes to rugs and carpets," Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"When we discover traders who have set out to deceive consumers in order to make more sales we will prosecute them," he said.

Both the company and its secretary were charged with five breaches of the Fair Trading Act.

The charges related to particular discounted rug prices advertised for 'one week only' but they were readvertised the following week. Prices ranged from $495 to $2,200 for five types of rugs. Savings were said to be up to $5,750.

"The trader deliberately made false and misleading statements about these prices being for 'one week only' and the community rightly expects us to bring this behaviour to book.

"We see this conduct as highly deceptive as consumers were very likely to be misled by the advertising," Commissioner Walker said.

Any consumers who have concerns about the advertising validity of carpet and rug 'bargains' should contact Consumer Protection for assistance on telephone 1300 30 40 54.