Issue Date:  -  Friday, 20 September 2002

Discount scheme charged.

Two restaurant discount scheme companies have fronted the Perth Court of Petty Sessions charged with offences under the Fair Trading Act and the Door to Door Trading Act.

Companies Pacific Good Food & Accommodation Guide Pty Ltd and Austar Enterprises Pty Ltd, along with Directors Maurice de Bray and Kimberley Wright have pleaded not guilty to fourteen charges.

"They have been charged with misleading consumers about their right to a cooling-off period as well as failing to provide documents and information required by the Door to Door Trading Act," Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Austar Enterprises allegedly cold-called employees at their places of work to offer the Connoisseur Card restaurant discount scheme, then prepared documents as though the $875 membership was being purchased on behalf of their employer, rather than an individual.

"We will allege that this was done in an attempt to circumvent the Door to Door Trading Act", Commissioner Walker said.

The matter has been set down for trial at the Perth Court of Petty Sessions on Tuesday 28 January 2003.

Under the Door to Door Trading Act, contracts that do not meet the requirements of the Act can be cancelled up to six months later, affording consumers a good level of protection.

"This serves as a good opportunity to remind consumers that they have the right to a ten day cooling off period when approached by door to door traders and can change their mind about proceeding with the deal within this time. Consumers should never make hasty decisions to buy anything, especially when a contract involves deductions from their bank accounts, as it can be difficult to remedy these situations later", Mr. Walker said.

Consumers with any concerns about their dealings with Austar Enterprises or Pacific Good Food & Accommodation Guide need to contact Consumer Protection:

*  1300 30 40 54
*   wascamnet@docep.wa.gov.au