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Deposit trap: Perth tradie takes thousands and leaves jobs unfinished
A Pearsall cabinetmaker has been found in breach of the Australian Consumer Law and fined $16,327.24 after collecting thousands of dollars in deposits from customers and failing to complete the agreed work.
At the Joondalup Magistrates Court, Charles Patrick Kimber, trading as CK Kitchens and Interiors, pleaded guilty to two offences of accepting payment for goods or services and failing to deliver them within a reasonable timeframe.
The court heard that between November 2022 and August 2023, Kimber accepted $6,800 in deposits from two customers in Heathridge and Viveash for cabinet-making work, without any agreed start or completion dates at the time of payment.
Over time, Kimber failed to complete the agreed work, did not issue any refunds, and in one instance kept a $1,349 rangehood without returning it.
He was fined $3,600 for each offence, ordered to pay $8,149 in compensation, plus $978.24 in costs.
Magistrate Maughan said the offences were having a “dishonest taint”, highlighting a clear need for both personal and general deterrence, as consumers are left vulnerable when traders accept deposits and fail to deliver on their obligations.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said consumers should be able to trust that deposits lead to completed work, calling out tradie’s behaviour that results in nothing, in effect but theft.
“We urge consumers to be cautious when paying deposits – if a trader asks for a large upfront payment, that could be a red flag. Only pay what’s necessary, preferably by credit card if possible, to get the job started.”
“Make sure you have a written quote and clear timeframes on when the work is to take place, so you know exactly what has been agreed and when the work should begin and be completed,” Blake concluded.
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