Published by The Kununurra Echo on 12th February 2004
Notorious business closes
A notorious Kununurra business has finally closed its doors, but not without continuing controversy.
S. Parker Mechanical Repairs, also known as Battery World Kununurra, was recently the target of a Consumer Affairs investigation.
While the fact that the owners are moving to the NT might be welcome news to many, some victims of the business' trading practices are still left well out of pocket.
Queensland tourist (clop) was one of the early people to complain bitterly of the way he was treated.
In a letter that was circulated to various local tourism businesses and media, (clop) claimed that he had asked Mr Parker to diagnose a loud whirring noise that was coming from the rear of his Holden Shuttle van.
Another mechanical workshop had already diagnosed the problem as a worn differential bearing.
(clop) alleged that, after a test drive, Mr Parker told him the noise wasn't coming from the differential. Instead it was coming from the rear wheel bearings and tail shaft universal joints. He was charged $73 for this diagnosis.
(clop) claimed that the vehicle was kept at the workshop overnight, despite the fact that it was his accommodation. He said Mrs Parker threatened to increase the hourly rate if he complained.
$900 later the loud whirring sound was still there; 40 kilometres out of Kununurra the new universal collapsed and the tail shaft fell off the vehicle.
The vehicle was subsequently repaired at another workshop and the now-damaged tail shaft replaced. A senior mechanic, with 40 years experience, signed a statement concerning the work that had been performed. The wrong universal joints had been ordered, a grinder had been used to enlarge holes in the tail shaft and an attempt had been made to weld the universal joints in place. The holes were too big, not round and not central. The senior mechanic described the work as 'irresponsible and totally incompetent'.
Kununurra woman Michelle Manning was in for an even more expensive version of the 'Parker treatment'.
She took her Mazda 323 to the Bloodwood Drive workshop for an engine overhaul. After several weeks she was quoted $3390 for parts, which she paid.
After more delays, and Mr Parker going missing for a time, Ms Manning asked to see an itemised list of the parts that had been purchased. It came to $1000 less than the initial quotes and by this time another mechanic, with the same business, was trying to sort out what work had been done.
Mr Parker returned and, after a telephone conversation with Ms Manning, refused to complete the job.
Mrs Parker told Ms Manning that she needed to pay an additional $1586 before she would be allowed to tow her car away. By now she had paid $4976.30 for a car with the engine in pieces. She had trouble getting another mechanic to take on the job of reassembling the motor. To add more insult, Parkers charged Ms Manning $72.60 to pack up parts and tow her vehicle to another workshop. Labour was charge at $66 an hour for 16 hours and $90.75 for one hour of 'after hours' labour. On top of this there was an 'administration' charge of $66.
Ms Manning has supplied the Kimberley Echo with all quotes and receipts.
The stories go on.
The Echo also has on file a letter from a tour guide, who purchased a 12-volt fluoro tube from the Parkers, only to find that it didn't work. When he asked for it to be tested, he was sworn at and told that the only way they would test it would be to pay them at the hourly rate.
All of this evidence was forwarded to Local Member Carol Martin, who then forwarded it on to Consumer Affairs and the parliamentary pro bono solicitor.
Consumer Affairs has not acted on the information.
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Published by The Kununurra Echo on 5th March 2004
Department denies inaction
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection has denied it failed to act on complaints against former Kununurra business S. Parker Mechanical Repairs.
The Kimberley Echo recently ran a story about some of the blatant mistreatment of customers by the now defunct business.
The department said, in a letter to the Kimberley Echo, that complaints from three people were forwarded to it by Local Member Carol Martin in October last year. It had also received an independent complaint from a fourth person.
Several approaches were made to Steve and Shiree Parker but they made no admission of failing to meet their obligations under the Fair Trading Act and made no offers to assist.
The department claimed it had kept in regular contact with the complainants and referred some to the Small Claims Tribunal. The letter said the department's role was to negotiate between the parties where no breach of legislation had taken place.
It was exploring what other action could be taken, but the closure of the business was an important consideration in determining future action. The department has written to Consumer and Business Affairs in the NT to inform of the Parkers' move to that territory.
Be that as it may, it is cold comfort to Michelle Manning and others like her, who lost thousands and received shoddy work.
The Parkers closed their Bloodwood Drive business and are believed to be living on a small acreage at Mandorah, west of Darwin across the harbour.
Since running the story, the Kimberley Echo has heard from numerous other victims of the business, which is believed to have been set up with the assistance of an ATSIC grant.