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$20k gone: WA tradie in hot water
Consumer Protection Western Australia (WA) has issued a warning against Trevor James Potter, following allegations that he took deposits without delivering the work or issuing refunds.
Since 2024, the watchdog has received 15 complaints against Potter, prompting a third warning from the body.
Over the years, Potter has operated under the business names Teejays Property Works, Bluesky Worx, Liven your Landscape, Trevor’s Landscape Services, and, most recently, Ritefix Property Services, and was issued similar notices in 2018 and 2020.
The watchdog said Potter allegedly issued partial refunds in some cases and supplied materials in others, but none of the work was completed, and most of the money remains outstanding, totalling over $20,000.
Under Australian Consumer Law, wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply the services in a reasonable time can carry a maximum penalty of $2,500,000 per contravention.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said the recent complaints highlighted the necessity for home owners to do their due diligence when selecting tradespeople.
“Given the number of complaints received and the amounts allegedly outstanding, we encourage consumers to exercise caution and make thorough checks before engaging Mr Potter or any tradesperson,” Blake said.
“Word of mouth remains one of the most reliable ways to find trustworthy tradies – ask neighbours, friends, and family for recommendations.”
Consumer Protection warned against paying large upfront deposits when hiring tradespeople, and that for bigger projects, progress payments can be made as work is completed.