Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 17 July 2003

Careless fencing company a danger to consumers

The Consumer Protection Commissioner is issuing an urgent warning to consumers to stay away from a door-to-door fencing salesman who has left in his wake a string of consumers who paid money up front and have been left out of pocket.

Daniel Kaitapu of Foundation Loop in Quinns Rocks and the business he claims to represent Direct Fencing have been the focus of Consumer Protection enquiries.

Despite numerous assurances he has failed to satisfy the department that he intends to address any of the complaints against him.

"We are always concerned when traders take money and then do not come good and in this case there is evidence that suggests Mr Kaitapu may be facing financial difficulties which is an added concern for consumers", Patrick Walker said.

"Ten consumers have made complaints relating to Mr Kaitapu taking deposits or full payment for materials and labour and either not commencing work or leaving jobs incomplete.

"His method of touting for work breaches the Door to Door Trading Act each time he accepts money or performs work inside of the mandatory ten day cooling off period", Mr. Walker said.

Mr Kaitapu will front the Small Claims Tribunal in August and September to answer two of the nine complaints.

Under the trading name of Danny's Fencing he was the subject of consumer complaints in 2001.

Anyone being approached by Mr Kaitapu or who is still waiting for work to be done by him should contact Consumer Protection immediately on telephone 1 300 30 40 54.

"Traders that flout the law and operate on a shoestring budget present great dangers to consumers as they can go out of business leaving huge consumer losses which can not be recouped", the Commissioner warned.