- Warnbro tradie subject of third warning from Consumer Protection
- 15 complaints against Trevor James Potter since November 2024
- Allegedly owes more than $20,000 for undelivered work including paving, guttering and fencing
Consumer Protection is again urging WA homeowners to be cautious when dealing with a tradesperson who has been the subject of multiple complaints and is alleged to have taken deposits without delivering the work or issuing refunds.
Since November 2024, Trevor James Potter of Warnbro, trading as Ritefix Property Services, has been the focus of 15 consumer complaints alleging he accepted payment for various property services, including fencing, paving, pergola repairs and guttering that were never delivered. In several cases, partial refunds were issued, and in another, some guttering materials were supplied, but none of the work was completed and most of the money remains outstanding.
A person who breaches the Australian Consumer Law by wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply the services in a reasonable time can face a maximum civil penalty of $2,500,000 per contravention.
Mr Potter, who also goes by his middle name ‘James’, has previously operated under the business names Teejays Property Works, Bluesky Worx, Liven your Landscape and Trevor’s Landscape Services.
This marks the third time Consumer Protection, a division of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS), has named Mr Potter, following similar warnings issued in 2018 and 2020.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said the recent complaints highlight the need for consumers to take care when choosing tradespeople.
“Given the number of complaints received and the amounts allegedly outstanding, we encourage consumers to exercise caution and make thorough checks before engaging Mr Potter or any tradesperson,” Ms Blake said.
“Word of mouth remains one of the most reliable ways to find trustworthy tradies – ask neighbours, friends and family for recommendations.”
Consumers are further advised to avoid paying large upfront deposits when hiring tradespeople. For bigger projects, progress payments can be made as work is completed and materials are supplied.
Anyone who has had unsatisfactory dealings with Trevor/James Potter or Ritefix Property Services should lodge a complaint on the LGIRS Consumer Protection website or email consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54.
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Media Contact: cpmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au
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