Gold Coast RV dealer to pay almost $550K for ripping off Queenslanders
- A former Gold Coast-based recreational vehicle seller has been ordered to pay more than half a million dollars after the Office of Fair Trading took them to court for breaches of Australian Consumer Law.
- David Lindsay Thorley took money from Queenslanders for recreational vehicles that were never provided.
David Lindsay Thorley who operated through his company Thorley Products Pty Ltd, trading as Spectrum RV, was found guilty of 6 counts of wrongly accepting payment in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday (27 August 2024) and ordered to pay over $549,000 in fines, compensation and other costs.
It comes after an OFT investigation revealed that between 2016 and 2018, Mr Thorley took a total of over $494,300 from 6 Queensland consumers to manufacture recreational vehicles which were never provided.
The consumers each paid significant deposits—between $25,900 and $196,900—for the recreational vehicles which Mr Thorley said would be delivered within 6 months of purchase.
When this didn't happen, Mr Thorley made excuses, telling the consumers their vehicles were still being manufactured in the United States and would be shipped soon, or refused to engage with consumers.
Quotes attributable to the Commissioner for Fair Trading, Victoria Thomson:
“David Lindsay Thorley's actions were completely unacceptable and had devastating impacts on affected customers who suffered significant financial losses and emotional distress.
“Some of his customers were even left without a roof over their head after selling their houses in anticipation of moving into their new recreational vehicle, while another took out a large loan against their home.
“To make matters worse Mr Thorley strung these consumers along for years, making up excuses about why they hadn't received their recreational vehicles, avoiding contact, and shirking his responsibilities.
“Even after we became involved, Mr Thorley continued this approach, stringing the matter through the courts for more than 5 years.
“I'm pleased these Queenslanders can now get some closure in this matter, with Mr Thorley ordered to pay back every single cent he took from them, plus a $50,000 fine and $5,200 in court costs.
“We work hard to enforce Queenslanders' rights and will take action against any traders who act inappropriately.
“If you haven't received goods or services that you've paid for, and haven't been able to resolve the issue with the trader, you can make a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading at http://www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading.”
–ENDS–