Ripped off by local business!?

Question

My wife recently had to take our convection microwave oven down to a local appliance repair agency for a small repair. She was quoted $160.00 for the repair and they wanted $50.00 deposit which she paid. After approximately one month with no word from them she attempted to call but the number was no longer connected. She then drove to the shop to speak to them personally but there was a closed sign on the door. She then went to the police for assistance and was told by them that they knew all about it but there was nothing that they can do as the repair shop has not done anything illegal. I thought that theft was a criminal offense. Can somebody please shed some light on this matter and maybe give me an idea on how I go about finding these people that have not only taken an appliance that would take at least $1000.00 to replace but also the $50.00 deposit.

Answer 1

Contact Office Of Fair Trading immediately - they are really good and are there to help in these types of situations.

http://www.consumer.qld.gov.au/oft/oftwe...

For future reference you can always post a comment online at  http://www.ripoffreport.com/default.asp  - I did for a business once and found other people also had c**p service.

Answer 2

you will have to do a registered name search with the office of fair trading, its called a business name searce, the number is 07 32461589, then when you recive all the business owners information, if you are close i would drive around to see if thay live at the home address on the extract, but do not approch them if they do, then file a smail claims action for the $50 and the cost of the microwave, you can then deliver it in person if you are brave or have it sent, once youve done all that i would go back and talk to there neibours and find out if thay have any plans in leaveing there address, it will take about 4 weeks to get them to court, if thay dont turn up you will be given judement and then you have to send around the sherriffs to enforce the court order, good luck

Answer 3

Contact the landlord for a forwarding address ....failing that , check out at the post office to see if they are forwarding the mail.

It's theft , fraud , whatever

Answer 4

Im not entirely sure, but that is c**p!! How is it not theft? Go to your police dept again, thats rubbish - they've taken an item of yours, so of course its theft. If you know the proprietors names and what not, you could speak to a lawyer. You could possibly find out that info on the net, under a registered business directory or something similar. Best of luck!