The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is taking the unusual approach of warning consumers to avoid dealing with Brendan John Hawxwell and his company Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd, after several Queenslanders claim they were ripped off by the tradie.
The OFT received multiple complaints from consumers who paid Mr Hawxwell for building services across Brisbane and the Gold Coast which he failed to provide, including retaining walls, fencing, and decking.
Mr Hawxwell also operates businesses called ‘Brisbane Fencing and Decking’, or ‘Queensland Fencing and Decking’.
Consumers were required to make substantial payments upfront, with some deposits reaching up to 45 per cent of the value of the quote before work commenced. They are now substantially out of pocket.
One consumer paid $8,000 last year for a fence, keypad, pool fencing and two gates. The existing fence was removed and post holes were dug out. However, no materials were supplied and no further work occurred. No refund has been paid.
Another customer paid more than $20,000 to Mr Hawxwell but is yet to have the building work completed or receive a cent of their money back.
Mr Hawxwell and his company operate under business numbers ACN: 662 155 311 and ABN: 94 662 155 311. The company has now been placed in liquidation.
OFT is also advising consumers to avoid buying goods from online motor parts seller Japam Pty Ltd, as the OFT moves to take further action against the company and its owner Jason Murray.
Mr Murray has been operating Japam Pty Ltd ACN 656 929 305, mainly through eBay and Facebook, and has repeatedly failed to provide reconditioned engines bought by consumers, leaving them out of pocket.
The OFT is investigating a number of complaints about this trader including from consumers in other states who ordered engines and failed to receive them.
Mr Murray, along with his past company JP & KM Murray Pty Ltd (in liquidation), which traded as Brisbane Motor Imports, was previously convicted and penalised for similar conduct in April 2019.
His new company Japam Pty Ltd was registered on 31 January 2022.
Consumers who have paid either trader for goods or services but have not received them should lodge a complaint with the OFT.
Complaints can be lodged online at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13QGOV (13 74 68).
